Should You Use Your Cell Phone During a Thunderstorm?
Should you use your cell phone during a storm?
Thunderstorms pose one of the greatest dangers in the form of lightning strikes accompanying heavy rain. Many people assume that only those outdoors are at risk of being struck by lightning, but in rare cases, individuals have been injured or even killed by lightning while indoors.
For instance, a man in the United States was killed in his home during a storm in 2017. Investigations revealed that lightning had traveled through the metal structures of the house and conducted through metal tools the man was using, resulting in his death.
Is it safe to use your cell phone during a thunderstorm?
When it comes to cell phone use, it is commonly believed that using a landline phone during a storm is unsafe. This is true, as lightning can travel through phone lines connected to the outside. But what about cell phones? Are they any safer?
According to John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist at the National Weather Service in the United States, there is no evidence that cell phones attract lightning. Even if you are carrying a cell phone when struck by lightning, the device would only be affected by the heat produced by the lightning, but it is not the primary cause of lightning strikes on individuals.
Jensenius emphasizes that no device “attracts” lightning, but it often travels along power lines, fences, or similar structures. Therefore, using a cell phone does not increase your risk of being struck by lightning. The most important thing is to ensure you are in a safe location, regardless of whether you are using a phone or not.
Dan Kottlowski, a meteorologist at AccuWeather, agrees that taking shelter is the most crucial factor. If you are near cell towers, your risk of being struck by lightning increases. Therefore, it is advisable to stay away from open areas and seek shelter in a car or building. Keep your distance from metal structures or electronic devices that are plugged in.
Jensenius warns that all plugged-in electrical devices are hazardous during storms, including cell phones or laptops that are charging. So, if you’re using your cell phone during a storm, make sure it’s not plugged into a charger.
Can thunderstorms damage electronic devices?
During storms, we often hear advice to unplug electronic devices to prevent damage from power surges caused by lightning. Is this true?
When lightning strikes a power pole near your home, it can create a power surge, causing a sudden increase in voltage on electrical lines. This voltage can reach millions of volts, far exceeding the capacity of household electronic devices, leading to the risk of short circuits and fires.
However, it’s important to note that unplugging devices during a lightning strike can be dangerous, as you may experience an electric shock from the sudden surge in power. So, the best course of action is to unplug devices before the storm reaches your area.
In conclusion, using your cell phone during a storm is not a significant concern, as long as you are not outdoors or near conductive objects. The priority is to seek safe shelter and stay away from high-risk areas, such as standing under trees, power poles, or near plugged-in electronic devices.
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