What to Avoid During Thunderstorms While Indoors

We all know that when there is a thunderstorm, it is best to go indoors. What some people don't realize, is that if there is lightning outside, you can still be hurt or even killed inside your home. Experts say that if you are inside while a thunderstorm is going on, you should avoid touching anything that involves plumbing or electrical wiring. Some people have been seriously hurt while leaning against metal framed windows. There are things that we do during a thunderstorm that we don't think about, but that we should avoid. Using anything with plumbing is a no no. Why? Because unless all your plumbing is PVC, plumbing leads to the exterior of the house, that can be hit by lighting and reach you inside. Using anything with electrical wiring is also a no no. Lightning can travel through the wires into your home. Below is a list of some of the items you should avoid while there is a thunderstorm.

Plumbing Items to Avoid
Kitchen sinks
Bathroom sinks
Showers or baths
Washing & Drying Machines
Door knobs of exterior doors
Any metal objects that come from outside

Wiring Items to Avoid
Telephones that are wired
Door bells
Hair dryers
Electric Shavers
Electric tooth brushes
Computers
Wired video game systems (kids play on TV)
Washing & Drying Machines

It is also a good idea to disconnect sensitive items from outlets, such as computers, TVs, stereo systems, cell phone chargers, etc.