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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
Comments
Could be random chance
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.
What are you talking about, a
What are you talking about, a wireless phone ? There's no danger using a wireless phone during lightning.
I know that
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.
Cellphones are perfectly safe to use during electrical storms
"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...
Unless you're in a bathtub
Yes, I'm that guy.
For your bathtub phone needs
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.
You lost TWO phones
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.
One drowned when I was pushed
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.
Mini-Dry Bags
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.
This is also why
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.
Somebody has a wired phone?
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.
stay inside
Sounds more like his close call was the result of being outside, rather than being on the phone. I'm glad he's OK.
Whether outside or inside,
It's still too risky to use a land-line phone during an electrical storm. Don't do it.