The post 7 Things You Should Never Do During a Thunderstorm — Even Inside Your Home, You Could Still Be at Risk first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
When a thunderstorm arrives, many people immediately feel safer once they step inside their homes. The common belief is simple: if you are indoors, you are completely protected. In most situations, a fully enclosed, substantial building is the safest place to be when lightning is nearby. However, being inside does not mean there is no risk. Lightning can still affect people indoors by traveling through plumbing, electrical wiring, wired devices, and metal components inside concrete structures.
The well-known safety advice “When thunder roars, go indoors” has an important second part: after getting inside, avoid the things that can provide pathways for electricity. A few simple precautions can greatly reduce the already uncommon risk of indoor lightning injuries.
Here are seven things experts advise avoiding during a thunderstorm.
Taking a Shower or Using Running Water
A warm shower during a storm may seem harmless, but safety experts recommend avoiding it. Lightning can travel through a home’s plumbing system, and the danger is not limited to buildings with metal pipes. Water itself can conduct electricity, meaning activities such as showering, washing dishes, doing laundry, or touching faucets can create unnecessary risk during a storm.
Even modern plastic plumbing does not completely eliminate the possibility of danger. While it may reduce certain risks compared with metal pipes, avoiding contact with plumbing and running water remains the safest choice.
If dirty dishes are waiting or laundry needs to be finished, delay those tasks until the storm has passed. Waiting until at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder provides an extra margin of safety.
Using Plugged-In Electronics
Many people continue using computers, televisions, or other appliances during a storm because they are already inside. However, electrical devices connected directly to outlets can create a risk if lightning affects a building’s electrical system.
Experts recommend avoiding plugged-in electronics such as computers, televisions, gaming systems, washing machines, dryers, and other appliances during active lightning. Battery-powered devices, such as mobile phones that are not connected to chargers, are a safer alternative.
Lightning can travel through electrical wiring, cable systems, antennas, and other connected networks. Besides damaging equipment, electrical surges can endanger anyone touching connected devices.
A good practice is to protect sensitive electronics before a storm arrives. Unplugging devices ahead of time can help reduce damage, although surge protectors and other equipment should not replace basic storm safety habits.
Related: 7-best-ways-to-responsibly-handle-used-electronics
Standing Near Windows, Doors, or Concrete Surfaces
Watching lightning from a window can seem exciting, especially during a dramatic storm. However, standing close to windows, doors, or exterior walls is not recommended. Lightning can enter structures through openings and can also travel through certain building materials.
Concrete may also present a risk because many structures contain metal reinforcement bars. Electricity can move through these internal metal pathways, which is why safety agencies advise avoiding direct contact with concrete floors and walls during thunderstorms.
The safest option is to move toward the building’s interior and stay away from doors, windows, garages, and outdoor areas. Closing a window does not make standing beside it completely safe; staying away from exterior openings is a better precaution.
Answering a Corded Landline Phone
A ringing phone may be difficult to ignore, especially if you are expecting an important call. However, avoid traditional corded landline phones during thunderstorms because lightning can travel through telephone lines and connected wiring.
This concern doesn’t apply to all phones. Mobile phones and cordless phones are generally safer during storms because they aren’t connected directly to external telephone wiring.
If someone is injured by lightning, call emergency assistance immediately. A person struck by lightning does not retain an electrical charge afterward, so it is safe to help while waiting for emergency responders.
Going Outside Immediately After the Rain Stops
One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming the storm danger has ended as soon as rainfall becomes lighter or stops completely. Many people go outside to walk pets, inspect damage, continue outdoor activities, or begin cleanup.
However, lightning can strike far away from the main storm area. The sky above your home may appear clear while dangerous lightning activity is still nearby.
A useful safety rule is to remain indoors until at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard. If you can still hear thunder, lightning may still be close enough to pose a threat.
Ignoring Weather Alerts Because You Are Already Home
Being indoors provides important protection, but it doesn’t mean you should ignore weather warnings. Thunderstorms can bring more than lightning, including strong winds, hail, flooding, and other dangerous conditions.
Keep emergency alerts active on your phone and pay attention to trusted weather information. Different storm hazards require different safety actions, and the safest location in a home may change depending on whether the threat involves lightning, flooding, or severe winds.
Assuming Your Home Makes You Completely Safe
A strong building is one of the safest places to be during a thunderstorm, but it is not a complete barrier against lightning. Homes contain electrical systems, plumbing, and other materials that can sometimes provide pathways for electrical energy.
The best approach is to think of indoor lightning safety as a two-step process: first, get inside a substantial enclosed building when you hear thunder; second, avoid plumbing, plugged-in electronics, corded phones, windows, doors, and direct contact with concrete until the storm has passed.
Final Safety Reminder
Take thunderstorms seriously, but there is no need to panic. The goal of lightning safety is not to make people afraid of being inside their homes. Instead, it is about understanding how lightning can travel and making small choices that reduce risk.
A home remains much safer than an open field, porch, tent, or temporary shelter during a thunderstorm. However, the safest indoor behavior is to stay away from water, wiring, exterior openings, and other possible pathways for electricity. The rule worth remembering is simple: when thunder roars, go indoors and stay indoors until at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
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