Are you careful during a bad thunderstorm?

Question

I mean careful like - not taking a shower when it's lightning real bad, etc? I live in Florida - Tampa Bay area (lightning capitol of the world for real) and we've had some WICKED storms in the last couple days. I'm 48 and grew up learning that you stay off the phone (do portable phones in the house count?) and not shower, etc. I guess this is more than one question (sorry). Also - no weather category here so picked "education" since this is how I was educated on storms. Made sense to me. LOL

Answer 1

I unplug expensive things that aren't on a surge protector, but as for using water I'm not too worried. The chances of getting hit by lightning are incredibly slim.

The odds of getting hit are 576,000 to 1, and the odds of dieing are over 2 million to one.

Answer 2

This is what I learned: Lightening is electricity which travels of the surface of water---therefore, stay away from water when it starts. Since we have thunderstorms during the summer(mostly), my dad told us to get out of lakes/rivers/pools as soon as we hear the first rumble of an oncoming thunderstorm. Also, lightening will strike the highest point in the area, so we were taught to not seek shelter under a tree. In addition to that, we learned that there was no safer place than a car, even though the car is metal--because the wheels are made of rubber. Then, we were taught to unplug the television, not to take a bath/shower while an ongoing storm, and to avoid any shelter with a metal roof. It makes a lot of sense to me. When I was a child, we had a little outdoor shed made of metal and it got hit by lightening--I still remember the smell of that. Thankfully we had no fire, but don't ask me how scared I got.

It is said that you can safely stay on a cordless telephone or cellphone in an ongoing thunderstorm, but I think it is better to be safe then sorry, so I do not talk during a storm.

If you ever wondered what happened to the fish when lightening strikes a lake/pond: they go almost to the ground of that lake/pond because this way they will not be affected by the electricity produced by a lightening striking their waters. Electricity travels on the surface of water but will not go deep into the water!!!!!!!!!!

What I learned the hard way is this: if you have cable television(and who doesn't nowadays?), then your television can go down the drain even if you unplug it, because you can get hit through the cable line as well as through the telephone line. So when we get a bad storm I disconnect my cable and also my telephone line from my pc(I have DSL) to ensure that none of my equipment goes down the drain. A few years back I lost all my telephones, a computer, and 2 televisions because of lightening that struck nearby, and last year I lost another television, I had it connected while at work and when I came home a thunderstorm had hit a generator, blowing my brand new television. So there is more to watch out for. Your best bet is to disconnect all cable, telephone lines, and even satelite dishes--anything that works via telephone line and cable. Not all insurances pay for the damage from lightening. Thankfully mine paid and I was able to replace the lost equipment.

Answer 3

OMG yes I was struck by lightening when I was 12, so I'm extra careful!! I never go out if it's lightening, never talk on the phone, or take a shower, I stay away from all windows. I love a good storm, but I'm always extra careful!

Answer 4

The canine of my early existence had bone damn tremors even as the thunder rolled. each now and then, it would want to crack us as a lot as see the terror in his eyes and the negative shaking. i recognize it hurts the canine emotions, yet being childrens we'd want to get down on the floor and luxury him the suited lets as children. As an individual, I turn on some song and dance with the canine, even as the thunder rolls, or i visit provide her the right to sleep on the rug close to by technique of the mattress and say words of coverage, is about all i'm keen to do. The canine is a puppy and no remember how a lot I clarify about the protection of our little abode to the canine and the pagans who stay with me doesn't do astounding. all of them shiver and shake like the gods are indignant with them, they conceal in what they imagine are threat-free corners in the course of the low rumbles, inspite of the undeniable fact that the loud thunder and awesome burst of lightening will deliver all of them right into a useless-warmth run to to the position i'm, the man who has no staying power for that type of worry.

Answer 5

There is a weather category here think it is under science and maths. Might be best asking there.

Answer 6

Yes cordless phones count too.

Answer 7

ya, i stay away fromo doors, windows, and turn my computer off and some lights.