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It’s a piece of advice many of us heard growing up, often dismissed as an old wives’ tale along the lines of not swimming after you eat. But unlike that myth, the warning to stay out of the shower during a thunderstorm is absolutely true and rooted in solid science. Let’s break down exactly why this common activity becomes a significant risk when lightning is in the area.
Yes, it is extremely dangerous to shower, bathe, or wash dishes during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing, and since water is an excellent conductor of electricity, this turns your faucet and shower head into a direct hazard.
The core of the danger lies in a simple fact: lightning is trying to find the fastest and easiest path to the ground. Unfortunately, the pipes and wires in your home provide a convenient superhighway for its massive electrical charge.
There are three main ways lightning can get to you indoors:
This isn’t just theory; it’s official guidance from leading safety organizations. Both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) issue clear warnings about this.
The CDC explicitly states that it is a myth that you are safe from lightning indoors. They provide a clear list of activities to avoid, which are based on the principle of staying away from anything that conducts electricity.
The National Weather Service’s famous slogan, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors,” is only half the story. Once indoors, you must stay away from conductive paths to the outside.
No. For the same reason you shouldn’t shower, you should not wash your hands or do the dishes. Any contact with running water from a faucet connected to your home’s plumbing system is a risk.
Yes, to a degree. Homes with proper lightning protection systems (lightning rods) and correctly grounded plumbing and electrical systems offer more protection by directing the charge to the ground. However, no system is 100% foolproof against a direct or extremely powerful nearby strike. It is always safest to assume the risk exists and take precautions.
Experts recommend following the 30-30 Rule. If you hear thunder, the storm is close enough to strike you. After the last clap of thunder you hear, wait a full 30 minutes before resuming any water-related or outdoor activities. Lightning can, and often does, strike several miles away from the main storm core.
The warning to avoid showering during a thunderstorm is not an overcautious old wives’ tale; it is a critical piece of safety advice backed by science and promoted by experts worldwide. The conductive network of plumbing and wiring in our homes makes indoor activities involving water or electricity uniquely dangerous when lightning is present.
The next time the sky darkens and the thunder rumbles, remember that a shower can always wait. Your safety cannot. Stay dry, stay safe, and stay away from the plumbing.
For a visual explanation on the dangers of using water during a thunderstorm, you may find the following video informative:​
Because of these events, you should definitely not do anything that involves water during a thunderstorm.
