Should You Avoid Showering During a Thunderstorm?

When a thunderstorm rolls in, heading indoors is the safest move. But what about indoor activities like showering? You may have heard warnings about bathing during a storm, but how serious is the risk? According to lightning safety experts, showering during a thunderstorm isn’t just risky it could lead to serious injury. Here’s what you need to know about why it’s unsafe and how long you should wait before hopping into the shower after a storm.

Why Showering During a Thunderstorm Is Dangerous

Lightning is incredibly powerful, with temperatures five times hotter than the surface of the sun, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). When it strikes, it can travel through your home’s plumbing, water, and other conductive materials like wires or metal.

"Lightning can enter your water pipes, making any contact with water whether you’re in the shower, bath, or washing dishes a potential risk," explains Mary Ann Cooper, MD, a medical and lightning safety specialist with the National Lightning Safety Council. Because water conducts electricity, lightning can reach you indirectly, causing a potentially harmful injury.

Potential Effects of a Lightning Strike

While lightning injuries are rare, the consequences can be severe. According to Dr. Cooper, lightning injuries are primarily nervous system injuries rather than burn injuries. Here’s what might happen if you’re indirectly struck while showering:

• Brain injury: Symptoms like memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or learning challenges can occur.

• Chronic pain: Long-term pain is another common side effect.

• Minor burns: Although burns are possible, they’re typically less severe compared to the damage lightning causes to the nervous system.

Even a “minor zap” from lightning can have long-lasting effects, and some symptoms, such as forgetfulness or chronic pain, might not appear until later.

How Long Should You Wait to Shower After a Storm?

It’s important to avoid showering while lightning is still in the area. To stay safe, follow the “30-30 rule” recommended by the National Lightning Safety Council:

• Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder before using the shower, bath, or any plumbing.

This easy-to-remember rule ensures there’s no lingering lightning risk.

Other Activities to Avoid During a Thunderstorm

Showering isn’t the only activity that puts you at risk during a storm. To stay safe indoors, avoid:

• Using plumbing, including washing dishes or hand-washing clothes.

• Touching electrical outlets or using corded phones.

• Handling metal objects.

• Standing near windows or doors.

• Going outdoors for any reason until the storm has fully passed.

“When you’re indoors, avoid touching anything that’s hardwired to the outside,” Dr. Cooper advises. Wireless devices and battery-operated tools are safe to use, but anything connected to external wires poses a risk.

How Bad Is It Really to Shower During a Thunderstorm?

Showering during a thunderstorm is never truly safe. Although lightning strikes are rare (with odds of being struck in your lifetime at about 1 in 15,300, according to the NWS), the risks of injury, including neurological damage or chronic pain, are too serious to ignore.

“Even a small lightning injury can have long-term effects, such as brain fog or pain that affects your quality of life,” Dr. Cooper explains. Some lightning injuries don’t appear immediately, so it’s important to monitor for symptoms if you suspect exposure.

Final Thoughts

If a thunderstorm is rumbling outside, your shower can wait. Lightning can travel through plumbing, putting you at risk for potentially life-altering injuries. To stay safe, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before bathing or using any plumbing.

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