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So you know how they tell you to stay off the phone during a thunderstorm?


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Comments

Considering how much time people spend on phones these days.

However, I don't pull mine out during thunderstorms (or heavy rain) mainly because I don't want to trash it. My husband always gets impatient waiting at the car after work when it rains for some reason and texts me to say that he's driving for the exit of the parking lot, and then gets annoyed because I don't get or immediately respond to his message.

I think I'm going to print out and tape this story to the dashboard.

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What are you talking about, a wireless phone ? There's no danger using a wireless phone during lightning.

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My husband? Possibly not.

The real reason is that I don't want to stop (and thus lengthen my risk by being out longer), open my bag and have everything in it get wet, and drown my phone because he-who-is-usually-five-minutes-late is getting impatient.

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"There is no danger. The electric charge associated with lightning is conducted through the air and ground along paths of least electrical resistance. If lightning strikes near a building (a tree next to a house, for example), its electric charge can be conducted into the structure through telephone and electric lines (even if they are buried) and underground water and gas pipes. Using a corded telephone during a thunderstorm is discouraged because the phone is physically connected by wires to the outside. A cellphone, however, has no such physical connection and the electric current from a nearby lightning strike cannot reach it. It is perfectly safe to use a cellphone during a thunderstorm."

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-04/news...

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Yes, I'm that guy.

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http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/hydro-phone/

I've drowned two phones so I seriously considered getting one of these when I was in the market for a new phone recently but it's not supported by my carrier unfortunately.

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because you drowned them?!?

Are people have really become that vain or self-important that they need to use their cellphone while taking a bath or shower?

Two words - Voice Mail.

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One drowned when I was pushed into a pool. Another drowned when I dropped it out of a canoe. No self-importance or vanity involved in either incident.

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When I take to the water in my kayak, I place anything sensitive (like my car key with remote or cel phone) in one of those thick, zip-lock quart bags.

Not perfect, but a good insurance policy as it both floats (according to a friend who was able to retrieve a phone in good shape after a canoe spill) and buys some time.

I do the same when when I have to be out for extended periods in wet weather.

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even indoor swimming pools are required to close during thunderstorms. A lightning strike in the right place could travel through the filtration/pumps/plumbing equipment and shock the swimmers. Lightning could also come in through a window and hit the water, as well. It's rare but it has happened.

I worked at Boston-area pools for many years, and took a LOT of verbal abuse for lightning closures. Now you know, it CAN happen.

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The story here is that somebody still has a copper phone line. Verizon is working as fast as possible to talk people into getting rid of them.

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Sounds more like his close call was the result of being outside, rather than being on the phone. I'm glad he's OK.

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It's still too risky to use a land-line phone during an electrical storm. Don't do it.

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