Anonymous wrote:A friend in N.Arlington's house was recently hit by lightning.

I was surprised at the list of electronics which got fried by it.

Our house was hit when I was a kid and every single thing that was plugged in was damaged. It also damaged tile floors and somehow put a crack in the ceiling in the room where it entered. It came in through a window air conditioner in our family room.

I'll take my chances.

Anonymous wrote:So if my supply pipes are plastic (PEX), then there's no risk to me?

They didn't run copper for supply?!

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Florida where the risk of getting struck by lightning is much higher. I was always taught not to shower or do dishes during a lightening storm. Just looked it up and it's apparently true. The risk is small but real.

PP who questioned the education level, you are an ass. I went to college. It certainly didn't make me smarter than many people who did not. Most city people wouldn't last a week out in the country despite the degree.

Horse shit. The Wal-Mart would have everything I need to survive.

Grew up in the south and always heard this, assumed the risk was small but there.

Then, in our first house, lighting hit a tree near the house, traveled inside, and completely fried our phone, answering machine (this was the 90s), one garage door, and a TV. I was sitting on the couch and watched the sparks come out of the cable connector which was not connected at the time. It was surreal.

I still don't worry about the average small storm, but I do stay out of the bath if there is a lot of lightening.

Anonymous wrote:So if my supply pipes are plastic (PEX), then there's no risk to me?

I would not say "no risk." But the risk would be reduced over all-copper pipe.

Also, fresh water is a fairly poor conductor. But, the voltage in lightning is so massive that even fresh water can conduct enough lightning electricity to even kill or seriously hurt you.

Anonymous wrote:Here's a guy who was struck while in the bathroom taking a shower:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/survivors.shtml

and then there's this - wow

Who knew?

David Pinson, AL. In bathroom taking shower. Depression, psychic abilities
Blair Puerto, Vallarta, Mexico: in apartment with doors open Depression, tremors, psychic abilities

So if my supply pipes are plastic (PEX), then there's no risk to me?

Conduction
Lightning can travel long distances in wires or other metal surfaces. Metal does not attract lightning, but it provides a path for the lightning to follow. Most indoor lightning casualties and some outdoor casualties are due to conduction. Whether inside or outside, anyone in contact with anything connected to metal wires, plumbing, or metal surfaces that extend outside is at risk. This includes anything that plugs into an electrical outlet, water faucets and showers, corded phones, and windows and doors.

From NOAA/NWS.

Here's a guy who was struck while in the bathroom taking a shower:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/survivors.shtml

I grew up in Ohio and was taught the same thing -- no water, phone, etc.

I have to say, one time lightning did strike the main electrical pole on our street (the one with the transformer for that block), and our TV and cordless phone were fried. (this was back when "cordless phone" meant a cordfree handset, with a base that was plugged into an electrical outlet).

Not to mention, the zapping noise that accompanied this occurrence was quite terrifying!

Yes.

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/shower-in-thunderstorm/

http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/storms/question681.htm
Over 1000 people a year are struck by lightning in the US. More common than you think. 16 deaths so far this year, with many more struck who survived (but will have lifelong effects)

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.shtml

I'm from the South and grew up hearing this. Never knew of it was true or an old wives tale.

Huh. You learn something every day. The only thought I ever have about taking a shower in a storm is if the power goes out I'll be showering in the dark (and it can be pitch black if your bathroom doesn't have windows).

It never in a million years would have occurred to me to think I might get electrocuted in the shower...

I actually don't think this will deter me too much, since it seems a tiny risk, but something to think about for sure!