Is it really dangerous to shower in a thunderstorm, or is that just a myth?

Answer 1

yes and lightening can come through telephones to.
Televisions blow up and computers do to.
We have thunderstorms in OK

Answer 2

I don't know any scientific data about it, but I can tell you from experience it can be downright scary!

Years ago I lived in a modern house (lots of glass that needed no draperies, etc.) on a heavily wooded hill on a large lot away from any close neighbors in a secluded subdivision. My family went to run some errands one evening so they could get home before the rainstorm came. I had been gardening so I decided this would be a good time to shower. All was going well until there was a spontaneous boom of thunder and the sky--and my bathroom-- lit up with lightning. All the lights in the neighborhood went out immediately--including my house. There I stood in the shower, with my head covered with shampoo which was slowly dripping into my eyes, and unable to find a towel or even a washcloth to wipe the suds away.

Those thoughts went away when I heard a sound--like a thud--in the adjoining bedroom. If my family had come home I would have seen the car headlights in the window so I hoped I was still alone in the house. All I could think of was the shower scene in the movie "Psycho". I ended up whimpering more than the dog!

So, physically threatening as in perhaps getting electrocuted, I don't know. Mentally and emotionally; definitely yes!

Answer 3

Even though many homes are protected from lightning, it is recommended you stay out of the shower during thunderstorms. Electricity and water don't mix.

Answer 4

Electricity in lightening will follow running water as well as it will seek out tall trees. If you have a proper lightening rod in your yard you may have less risk but it is usually better to wait for the storm to be over. That applies to the use of the phone also as it can hit a phone and burn your face- especially phones plugged into the wall. Standing in water running in a street or standing in wet grass during a storm is not a good idea eather.

Answer 5

I'd say yes it is dangerous. Water is an electrical conducter. That's why if it starts to thunder at the beach, people get out of the water.

Answer 6

Even worse than the water conducting electricity, most of you have forgotten about the plumbing. Its made of metal (most times) and when it leaves the house its underground making a very efficient path to ground. Electricity wants to go to ground and the plumbing is just that. When we hook up house and building services one of the requirements is that we take the main grounding electrode and clamp it to the incoming water lines as well as ground rods.

Answer 7

Its mostly a myth, however if the storm is right over head, and the lightning is particularly bad and you've had sever T-storm warnings I wouldn't recommend it. If lightning strikes close by it is altogether possible you could be mildly hit

Answer 8

Apparently, it is. Water conducts electricity, and if lightening struck you in your shower, you would have less chance of survival than if you were sitting in a chair in the same room. Still -

Answer 9

Myth. So long as your not at the beach in the public shower or some place similar where you are wide open. If you shower inside a well grounded structure such as a house or apartment or etc you should be A-OK.

Answer 10

FYI: Have you heard that talking outside on the cell phone during a storm is dangerous too?

Answer 11

Many homes have a vent pipe in the plumbing system which sticks up out of the roof of the house. Since your bathrub is connected to that plumbing, if lightning hits that protruding pipe it would find it's way directly to you.