Can you be electricuted while taking a shower in a thunderstorm?

Question

My Mom often told me that I shouldn't take showers during thunderstorms, because I could be electricuted in the water. So I never did. It's not very inconvenient not to take showers in thunderstorms, since in New York thunderstorms tend to last less than a half hour.

But I was just wondering, is that even possible? Has anyone actually been electricuted while taking a shower during a thunderstorm?

Answer 1

Well, as my internet search confirms, it has happened, but the odds are probably so tiny that you shouldn't worry too much about it.  

It's not the water that will conduct the electricity, it's the pipes.  You bathroom plumbing forms a 'ground' into the earth that the lightning will take if it enters your house.  

If you want to be safe, ask your parents to install lightning rods (metal rods connected to the ground with copper wire) on the roof of your house.  Any lightning that strikes your house will be guided safely into the ground.  Lightning rods protect not only people inside the house, but the house too.  

See the link below for the story:

Answer 2

I watched a Mythbusters episode not too long ago where they did confirm that you could be electrocuted in the shower if lightning struck your house.

http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/03/mythb...

Answer 3

It is possible but verry verry unlikely.

Answer 4

yes it is possible it won't hurt to wait for the storm to end listen to your mom