In a thunderstorm, avoid taking a shower. Reasons why

As the sky grows gloomier and the trees start to tremble, thunder can be heard in the distance. That should alert you to the possibility of impending danger. In fact, the National Weather Service estimates that it is probably less than 10 miles away from you.

Don't disregard that sound since lightning can strike where there is thunder and bring harm or death in unexpected ways. That applies even whether you are bathing, washing dishes, or taking a shower.

Since lightning can pass through plumbing, it's recommended to stay away from all water when a thunderstorm is in progress. Do not wash your hands, wash your dishes, take a shower, or bath, advised the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Plastic pipes may pose a lower risk of lightning damage to plumbing systems than metal pipes do. To lessen your risk of being struck by lightning, it is recommended to stay away from plumbing and running water during a thunderstorm, the CDC advised.

There are other risks to consider when you're inside. The agency advised people to avoid going near windows and doors, stay away from patios and balconies, and "NOT lie down on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls."

Additionally, the CDC advised "NOT using anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers or other electronic equipment." Avoid using corded phones. If a charger is not used to connect a cell phone or cordless phone to an outlet, they are safe.

hotter than the sun's surface

When lightning strikes, a thunderclap occurs, raising the temperature of the air around the bolt to "as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, five times hotter than the surface of the sun," according to the National Weather Service. "The air rapidly cools and compresses following the flash. The sound wave that we associate with thunder is produced by this quick expansion and contraction.

There are numerous ways that lightning can cause death. According to the CDC, a direct impact is most frequently fatal, although touching a car or other metal object that has been struck by lightning can result in injuries such physical trauma, burns, skin blisters, and eye, brain, muscle, and eye injuries. The current may also pass through the ground, recirculate after hitting a person or something, or even stream up from nearby objects.

The weather agency warned that you can estimate the distance between you and the lightning, but to do so from a secure location to avoid being struck.

Five seconds are equal to one mile, fifteen seconds are equal to three miles, and zero seconds are very close, according to the weather service. "Count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder, and then divide by five," it said.

According to the CDC, the majority of fatalities and injuries happen when individuals are outside, particularly in the afternoon and evening during the summer. Each year, 10% of those who are struck by lightning die, injuring about 180 people in the process. The most vulnerable are those who work outside, particularly in the Southeast. According to the CDC, Florida and Texas have the most lightning-related fatalities.

Do "NOT" lie on the ground if you are discovered outside. Electric currents generated by lightning can be lethal more than 100 feet distant and run along the top of the ground. No place outside is safe, so enter a secure area, said the CDC.

Avoid being near or under tall trees or doing anything else that will raise your risk of being struck by lightning. If there are no visible safe havens, crouch with your feet together, squatting low, tucking your head, and covering your ears. Yet keep in mind that this is a final resort. First, look for safe shelter.

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