What attracts lightning to a house?

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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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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Lake Maracaibo is the region with the most lightning in the world, with 233 lightning strikes per km2 per year.

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Males are four times more likely than females to be struck by lightning. The average age of a person struck by lightning is 37 years.

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Lightning can travel through plumbing. It is best to avoid all water during a thunderstorm. Do not shower, bathe, wash dishes, or wash your hands. The risk of lightning travelling through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes.

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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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