Is it dangerous to be on the phone during a lightning storm?

Answer 1

Yes... not likely, but it can happen.
A lightning strike can come through the phone lines. There are protection devices along the path, but a direct hit will bypass those. If you have to talk on the phone during a lightning storm, use a cordless phone. There is NO danger with a cordless phone.

Additional Info:
(Reading the posts above)
Houses are not well grounded these days anymore than they used to be. Everyday I see houses that are not grounded correctly.
Also: Although it is true that electric takes the path of least resistance (ground) it also takes the rest of the paths too. If a house is grounded properly, most of the current will pass through to ground. Still... some current can travel through the other paths. Phone lines are always grounded to the same ground as your electric. The left over current that can pass through the phone lines should be arrested by the in-line protectors, but not always.
Better safe than sorry.

Answer 2

In the old days, the phones were all on one line. They would pick up, see if one of the neighbors was on, if they were they would have to wait, if they weren't they could make a call. The person at the end of the "line" would be in danger because the phone lines weren't grounded. I worked at a nursing home, one of my patients insisted that her phone be unplugged during electrical storms. She said that when she was a kid, their line was struck and the phone exploded. I don't think that happens anymore, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Answer 3

It is pretty much dangerous to be anywhere in a lightning storm. Being on the phone just increases you chances of quitting smoking and going to heaven. (cordless phones don't count)

Answer 4

Yes, if lightning strikes a phone line, the current would travel through the phone line and could strike anyone talking on the phone at that time.

Answer 5

certain, your mothers and fathers were most suitable: utilising a corded telephone for the duration of a thunderstorm could be risky. Lightning automatically receives into copper telephone cables for the duration of storms and would weigh down the fusing protectors at your position and enter a telephone set, causing an excellent type of instant damage to the phone and the consumer. as i understand,it is also risky to apply a cellular.

Answer 6

According to Myth Busters a corded phone could carry an electrical current from a lightning strike straight to your body. Other than that, you're fine.

Answer 7

Regular phone tied into the phone lines yes, lightning can travel through the phone lines, however, not a cell phone.

Answer 8

absolutely....there was a discussion on this a couple of weeks ago...a few years ago a family member of mine was on the phone during a lightning storm, it hit and traveled down the line into his ear blew the ear drum and caused burns on his face, ear and side of his head, singed the hair off too! he is deaf in that ear to this day.

Answer 9

Surprisingly no ..... If you are familiar with the show "Mythbusters", they covered this. While they were able to get a shock to go through a phone line it took extraordinary methods to make it happen. It is basically just as likely that you will be struck by lightning through your window as it is through your phone.

Answer 10

Yes, it is an electrical device that transports all types of electricity. Besides if you unplug other elctrical devices in a storm doesn't it make sense that a phone would be dangerous too.