As the rainy season begins, thunderclaps, lightning, and frightening lightning strikes often follow. Many people may have heard elders warn with good intentions that “When it rains and thunder roars loudly, never go out to take a bath.” (In the past, people bathed outdoors and children enjoyed playing in the rain.) Younger generations might see this as an old-fashioned cautionary tale made up to scare children from thunder and lightning sounds.
But in fact,the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) has advised on how to protect oneself from lightning during thunderstorms by stating, " avoid being near bathing areas and other plumbing. " Of course, plumbing pipes connect to bathrooms, which could explain the recommendation to avoid bathing during thunderstorms with thunder and lightning.
A single lightning strike carries electric currents up to hundreds of thousands of amperes and immense heat. Even if you shelter inside a fully enclosed building, "the bathroom" is actually the highest risk spot in the house for the following reasons.
1. Plumbing and water systems act as "highways" conducting electricity.
Many household plumbing systems, especially in older homes or commercial buildings, use metal drain pipes or steel frameworks, which are excellent electrical conductors. More importantly, tap water contains minerals and substances that allow electric current to pass easily. If lightning strikes the roof, water pump, or building structure, the current can travel through pipes and water lines directly to anyone showering.
2. Electric water heaters and faulty grounding systems.
Electric water heaters are connected both to the main electrical supply and the water system. Although laws require grounding wiring, if the home's grounding system is degraded, damaged, or improperly installed, stray voltages from nearby lightning strikes can flow back into the heater and leak current through the water flowing over your body.
3. The body’s "lowest electrical resistance" state.
Normally, dry human skin has some electrical resistance, but once you step into a bathroom and become wet, your skin's resistance drops sharply. This means even a small leakage current can turn your body into a perfect conductor, leading to sudden heart failure or death much more easily than under dry conditions.
The first 30 (seconds): If you see lightning and hear thunder within 30 seconds, it means the storm is dangerously close. Stop bathing or touching electrical appliances immediately.
The second 30 (minutes): After rain or thunder ends, wait at least 30 minutes to ensure electrical charges in the air have dissipated before bathing again.
Besides not showering (whether by shower, scooping water from a container, or soaking in a tub), the CDC recommends additional precautions for maximum safety:
Avoid washing dishes and hand-washing clothes. Any activities involving turning on water taps or contact with water connected to external pipes should be temporarily avoided.
Avoid using wired landline telephones. Because lightning currents can travel through telephone lines (mobile phones not plugged into chargers can be used normally).
Do not lie flat on concrete floors. Concrete floors or cement walls containing steel frameworks can conduct electrical charges from lightning strikes to the ground.
The warning "Do not shower when it is thundering and raining" is therefore not superstition but a scientifically proven electrical safety rule that can be life-threatening. While lightning striking plumbing to electrocute someone inside the house may be rare, when it happens, the consequences are often severe disability or death.
So on stormy nights with roaring thunder, be patient and wait for the storm to pass before bathing to ensure your shower is truly a safe and relaxing time.
Source:www.cdc.gov