can you still get electrocuted while taking a shower in a thunder storm?

Question

my mom and i were arguing over if you can still get electrocuted from a lightning strike while taking a shower. i say yes she says no. whos right?

Answer 1

You have received three answers where the more interesting one if from JC. I will not put in question his word or the one of his neighbour's daughter. Many strange things can happen with the lightning. But ...



First question is: In your country or region, is it common to have the "earth" of your power supply connected to the house piping system.



Next question: In your area, do you have aerial power lines, or under the ground?



Of course, if lightning strikes a powerline over the ground and it leads to your house, and the earth of it is the piping of the house, then there is a remote chance that a part of the bolt jumps from an electrical output to the piping system and it could be via the water of the shower.



But you must understand that if lightning manages to shortcut between the clouds and the earth, it takes also the shortest route anywhere near your house. Unless lead by a wiring system, lightning never "enters" a house. Why would it?



Please, believe me; lightning is not as dangerous as many think. First, check the wiring in your house and if it is not part of an external electrical circuit, take a shower, watch TV or use a cell phone; nothing will happen. If you think piping and wiring might be influenced by a lightning strike, ask professional advice to secure your home. It is not only about you taking a shower but the danger of fire and the cost of the insurance.

Answer 2

Yes, you can. Lightning strikes the highest point in its vicinity, so if you don't have a lightning conductor (usually only used for thatch roofs or skyscrapers, skyscrapers have internal conductors) it can strike your house or close to it.

Our neighbors' daughter was running bath water with her hand in the water when lightning struck their house...she was burned very badly, but survived.



EDIT: To answer Michael. Yes, our powerpylons (in certain small towns) are above the ground, but in this case the lightning actually struck a tree next to the house. The piping from the geyser was in contact with the tin roof.

Answer 3

Well sure. But why would you want to take a shower in a thunder storm? I would think it would be more convenient to take a shower in a bathroom, no? It is never a good idea to be outside in a thunder storm.

Answer 4

You can't.