Whats the risk in a thunderstorm, phones, plumbing..what else?

Question

I have heard you cant use a land line due to risk of electricution, but irecently heard you shouldnt use plumbing either..huh? why? what else is a risk?

Answer 1

Water and electricity don't mix....

Answer 2

electric service was grounded to copper pipes back in the day. If your home was hit, lightning could pass theoretically through the pipes, through the water and through you.

most homes now use plastic water pipe so this is no longer an issue.

most phone lines and data cables are made of a twisted pair of fine copper wires, an excellent conductor of electricity and lightning should it be transmitted to these wires.

I use a surge protector for all phone, data & cable TV lines.

Answer 3

I don't know about plumbing, but it is definitely dangerous to use either your land line or your mobile phone. It is also not safe to use your computer during a thunder storm.  I know of people who have had their t.v. blow up after a strike. When I lived in Florida there was somebody killed by a lightning strike after it struck a stove he was leaning against.

Answer 4

Im learning about this in my science class! First of all lightnig is attracted to things that are tall and attached to the ground. For instance, trees, flag poles, even you! Secondly anything attached to something that is outside that is inside is likely to get struck. That could be phones, electronics connected to wires, or metal. Metal is a conductor of electricity so it attracts it more than other things. that means cell phones. Hope this helps you!

Answer 5

One day

a long time ago

when i was a little boy

i was washing my hands

uring a thunderstorm

i will never forget it

as i looked outside

i saw a huge flash of light

then i was litteraly hurled across the bathroom

against the door

and into the hallway

When i got up

i was shaking

my heart was racing

and i felt scared

later i found that the bolt of lightning had hit the tree

out the back

the electricity must havepassed up the water

and through me

SCARY