Bathtub during thunderstorm

To be honest, bathtub during thunderstorm nice bubbly soak with a storm soundtrack sounds lovely. But lighting is basically super-charged electricity, and as you may recall from general science in 4th grade, electricity and water are a bad combination.

Can you shower during a thunderstorm? It's long been rumored that taking a nice, warm shower is a dangerous proposition when electricity is coursing through the sky. And before we get into the truth about bathing during a lightning storm, let's first discuss why it's even a question. For one, there are a lot of silly myths about lightning. For instance, a plane getting hit by lightning generally isn't really that big of a deal — although pilots aren't crazy and do try to avoid thunderstorms , planes are built to safely conduct currents. Even the old "rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning strikes" adage is totally false; a car is safe because it has a metal roof and sides to conduct the current to the ground.

Bathtub during thunderstorm

You can also add newsletters iflscience. IFLScience needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, check out our Privacy Policy. Did your caregiver ever scream at you during a thunderstorm to get out of the bath? Is it actually a dangerous pastime, or is it just an old wives' tale? Firstly, a thunderstorm develops when there is an unstable atmosphere. When lightning starts to develop, the air acts as an insulator between the negative and positive charges in the clouds, and between the cloud and the ground. When the opposite charges have built up, the air insulation breaks and there is a rapid discharge of electricity — what we call lightning. This cycle will continue until the charges dissipate. The lightning is what causes the booming sound of thunder. The energy from the lightning channel heats the air to around 50, degrees Fahrenheit, which causes the air to explode outward. This pressure decreases rapidly and this forms the sound of thunder.

See, the pipes that fill your bathtub are most likely metal—which is highly conductive.

Be prepared. Check the weather before participating in outdoor activities. If thunderstorms are forecast, change plans or ensure that a safe shelter is nearby. For more information about lightning safety, visit the lightning safety tips page. A safe shelter is a fully enclosed vehicle or a shelter that has four walls and a roof.

But is it true? Can you really get electrocuted in the bathtub during a thunderstorm? Before diving in, we need to understand why such a question arises in the first place. Water is a good conductor of electricity. When lightning strikes a house, it travels the path of least resistance to reach the ground. Plumbing systems, made up of metal pipes, offer a perfect route. Modern homes have integrated plumbing and electrical systems. Electrical wires run parallel to water pipes throughout your home. Here are a few precautions to take during a thunderstorm:. Lightning can travel through plumbing and potentially cause harm.

Bathtub during thunderstorm

When it comes to summer, there's nothing quite like spending a lazy day lounging in your hot tub. But what if a thunderstorm rolls in while you're soaking? Can you still hot tub safely? Unfortunately, the answer is no. You should never use a hot tub during a thunderstorm. A hot tub contains electrical parts that can attract lightning and cause it to strike. In addition, the water in the hot tub could serve as a conduit for electricity to travel through.

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Do NOT lie on the ground. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC lightning can cause many different injuries with different mortality risks. And yes, lightning will strike the same place twice, and many tall structures are hit often. Is it actually a dangerous pastime, or is it just an old wives' tale? Can You Shower During a Thunderstorm? Watch out for concrete : Avoid contact with concrete walls and floors, which might contain metal reinforcement. We base this on their years of experience, the level of training they have undertaken, and the broad range of services they can provide. Mobile Newsletter banner close. What should I do if I see someone get struck by lightning? For example, the Empire State Building is hit by lightning about 23 times a year. Underline links. Remove Animations. Get our newsletter full of awesome, inspiring, and strange science. There are a lot of common misconceptions about how lightning works and what it can affect , so it's not altogether crazy to think that the old "don't shower during a storm" line is another old wives' tale. It is best to avoid all water during a thunderstorm.

About this rating. Electrocution from lighting while showering or bathing is both scientifically possible and historically documented. Lightning fatalities are a significant cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, killing an average of 49 people a year.

Get inside a safe location; no place outside is safe. Firstly, a thunderstorm develops when there is an unstable atmosphere. Sources Glass, Don. View our privacy policy and terms below. Typically, the lightning follows the path of least resistance, and that is normally through wires and plumbing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC lightning can cause many different injuries with different mortality risks. Avoid plumbing; do NOT wash your hands, take a shower, or wash dishes. In alone, as of publication, the National Weather Service has reported 13 lightning deaths in the U. From through , lightning caused an average of 28 deaths per year. How many people are injured from lightning strikes each year in the United States? Sign up for our Newsletter! And it doesn't stop at lightning injuries.