Should you turn off lights during thunderstorm?

Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. If lightning strikes, telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning. Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.



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Contrary to popular belief, metal does not inherently attract lightning. Instead, height, shape, and isolation are the dominant factors in determining where a lightning bolt strikes. The taller, more pointed, and isolated a structure, the more lightning will be attracted to it.

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The safest location during a thunderstorm is inside a large enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring. These include shopping centers, schools, office buildings, and private residences.

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Can I charge my phone during a thunderstorm? It's better to unplug all your appliances. Lightning striking near a local electric pole can cause a surge of electricity to burst through the power lines. So it's safer not to charge your phone during the thunderstorm.

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