Is it ok to take a bath during a lightning storm?

Question

is it a myth that you can be electrocuted??? or is it true?

Answer 1

It is true! Don't bathe during a lightning storm.

Answer 2

Lightning can travel through phone lines and plumbing to deliver a fatal shock. Inside, away from windows is good. The inside of a car is fairly safe. Bad places to be in a thunder storm: under a tree, on a golf course, in a pool or other body of water, low lying ground (flash floods)

Answer 3

Lightning is the MOST UNDERRATED weather hazard. On average, only floods kill more people. Lightning makes every single thunderstorm a potential killer, whether the storm produces one single bolt or ten thousand bolts.

In the United States, lightning routinely kills more people each year than tornadoes and hurricanes COMBINED. Tornadoes, hail, and wind gusts get the most attention, but only lightning can strike outside the storm itself. Lightning is the first thunderstorm hazard to arrive and the last to leave.

Lightning is one of the most capricious and unpredictable characteristics of a thunderstorm. Because of this, no one can guarantee an individual or group absolute protection from lightning. However, knowing and following proven lightning safety guidelines can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death. Remember, YOU are ultimately responsible for your personal safety, and should take appropriate action when threatened by lightning.

While no place is 100% safe from lightning, some places are much safer than others.

WHERE TO GO:
The safest location during a thunderstorm is inside a large enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring. These include shopping centers, schools, office buildings, and private residences.

If lightning strikes the building, the plumbing and wiring will conduct the electricity more efficiently than a human body. If no buildings are available, then an enclosed metal vehicle such as an automobile, van, or school bus makes a decent alternative.
WHERE NOT TO GO:
Not all types of buildings or vehicles are safe during thunderstorms. Buildings which are NOT SAFE (even if they are "grounded") have exposed openings. These include beach shacks, metal sheds, picnic shelters/pavilions, carports, and baseball dugouts. Porches are dangerous as well.

Convertible vehicles offer no safety from lightning, even if the top is "up". Other vehicles which are NOT SAFE during lightning storms are those which have open cabs, such as golf carts, tractors, and construction equipment.

WHAT TO DO:
Once inside a sturdy building, stay away from electrical appliances and plumbing fixtures. As an added safety measure, stay in an interior room.

If you are inside a vehicle, roll the windows up, and avoid contact with any conducting paths leading to the outside of the vehicle (e.g. radios, CB's, ignition, etc.).

WHAT NOT TO DO:
Lightning can travel great distances through power lines, especially in rural areas. Do not use electrical appliances, ESPECIALLY corded telephones unless it is an emergency (cordless and cell phones are safe to use).

Computers are also dangerous as they usually are connected to both phone and electrical cords. Do not take a shower or bath or use a hot tub

If on a boat or in the water Get to shore as quickly as possible and seek safe shelter

Avoid trees

if caught in the open make yourself a small target get on th balls of your feet squat down and place your head between your knees and cover your head with your hands. DO NOT LAY FLAT it only makes yourself a large target.

Source(s):

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/wcm/tstmtorl...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/li...

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/...

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/over...

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outd...

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/more...

Answer 4

Apparently it is a rare occurrence, but given the right conditions, lightning can travel through the water pipes into your house.

You can also be shocked if you are talking on the phone (unless it is cordless).

=====edit====
Try to stay away from the windows too, if the lightning is close.

Answer 5

It's possible. Mythbusters proved that it is. Check out season 2, episode 30.

Answer 6

The electrical circuits in newer homes are pretty well grounded; so I wouldn't think you are in too much danger. However, should you decide to bath in a big metal tub under a spreading oak tree during a thunder storm, be sure you have made your peace.

Answer 7

That's an absolute myth unless you are planning on taking a bath outside. All jokes aside. If there was any truth to this my family and I would be dead 1,000 times over.

Answer 8

Yes. If you have direct contact.

Answer 9

are you crazy...you'll enter the fifth dimension or some kind of parallel unverse or something. keep bathing every 4th day like you are now

Answer 10

you canot but eletricuted thats a myth. A stupid myth. Your in the house for one thing and unless your outside in a metal tub i dont think you would get elecricuted.