Aug 19, 2022 23:00:00

Why you shouldn't take a shower during a thunderstorm

Cumulonimbus clouds tend to form in the summer when warm, moist air rises, and severe thunderstorms occur frequently. James Rawlings, a physics lecturer at the University of Nottingham Trent in the UK, warned, ``It is better not to take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm,'' and explained why.

Why it's not safe to shower during a thunderstorm
https://theconversation.com/why-its-not-safe-to-shower-during-a-thunderstorm-188862

In recent years, localized thunderstorms that look like overturned buckets have been occurring more frequently in Japan, and the term 'guerrilla downpour' has become firmly established. During heavy rains, it is necessary to be careful not only of river flooding and landslides, but also of lightning strikes. There are surprisingly many cases of death due to lightning strikes, and there is also a report (PDF file) that 24,000 people around the world are killed by lightning annually and 240,000 people are injured.

The main elements that cause thunderstorms are 'moisture' and 'rising warm air', and generally cumulonimbus clouds are formed when cold air above and warm air near the ground collide with rising air currents. Cumulonimbus clouds contain a large amount of water droplets and ice grains, and when these collide, friction occurs and a large amount of static electricity is generated. When the cumulonimbus containing this static electricity moves, an opposite charge is generated on the ground surface, and a discharge (lightning strike) occurs to balance the charge.

Lightning strikes the path of least resistance, so lightning tends to strike objects with high conductivity, such as metal, and objects that are tall and close to clouds. It is said that the mortality rate when lightning strikes the human body is 70%, and open places such as golf courses are dangerous.

In order to avoid damage from lightning strikes, many people may be careful not to go outside unnecessarily during thunder and avoid standing under tall trees. But Rawlings said, ``Did you know that you should avoid showering, bathing, and washing the dishes during a thunderstorm?'' I warn you that it is dangerous.

'Unless you're outdoors sitting in a bathtub or showering in the rain, your chances of being struck by lightning are incredibly low,' Rawlings said. , the electricity follows the path of least resistance to the ground, such as metal wires and water in pipes, which provide a convenient conductive path for the electricity to go to the ground.' Especially since the shower touches both water and metal, it can be an ideal path for lightning to pass through.

According to

guidance for protecting yourself from lightning published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , one-third of lightning injuries occur indoors. The CDC recommends avoiding indoor activities that come in contact with water, such as showering and washing dishes, avoiding the use of plug-in computers, games, washer-dryers, stoves, corded phones, and staying away from windows and doors. increase.

Also, as a precaution during a thunderstorm, Mr. Rawlings pointed out that the act of 'leaning against a concrete wall' is also dangerous. Although the concrete itself is not so conductive, the building made of ``reinforced concrete'' has reinforcing bars inside, which may be a conductive path for lightning.

``As a rule of thumb, even if it's not raining, if you hear thunder in the distance, it's likely that the storm is close enough to reach it,'' Rawlings said. It can happen in places.Usually, 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder is a safe time to take a shower, ”he advised not to let go until the end.