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rjlona ([personal profile] rjlona) wrote2006-03-09 12:21 am
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Whee! Thunderstorm!

We're having a thunderstorm! I love thunderstorms! Of course, I was just about to get in the bathtub. Now, I've been told that it's dangerous to be in a bathtub or shower during a thunderstorm, but I've also been told that it's perfectly safe. So which is it? Any help from all you scientist friends of mine? I know you're mostly biologists, but surely someone must have a good answer for this.
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[identity profile] amnachaidh.livejournal.com 2006-03-09 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
It's a quite likely safe thing. If your house was hit by lighting during a thunderstorm, there's a chance that the electrical current could pass through you to get to the plumbing. Unlikely - I've never been in a house struck by lightning, although twice the tree next to our house has been hit. (two different houses)

Probably it's a rumor to keep people from having the embarrassment of dying while being in the bath.

[identity profile] lyev.livejournal.com 2006-03-09 12:36 pm (UTC)(link)
http://www.uic.edu/labs/lightninginjury/ltnfacts.htm

It's probably not the best idea to be in the tub, but then again the odds of a strike at a given point at any given time are always slim (but non-zero). How often do the lights flicker, power go out, or the cable TV loses its signal? That should give you some idea of relative risk during storms in your area.

[identity profile] kenllama.livejournal.com 2006-03-09 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm thinking this idea is a holdover from the days when bathtubs were outdoors. But then what do I know...

and: whee! thunderstorms. that means spring has sprung! i thought we had thunder yesterday and was all excited, but it turned out to be someone leaving on jet plane (in my pants...)

actually, i think they were arriving in a jet plane (IMP) which could be more interesting...

[identity profile] grimfaire.livejournal.com 2006-03-09 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
The only way it would not be safe is if there is a way to close the circuit.

Electricity has to follow a path. It can't go through non-conductive material (like the tub itself).

It can travel along copper or other ferrous pipes but not through any PVC piping. It can travel through water.

Now the question would be... is there a possibility for it to travel along the pipes and/or water in the pipes to the bathtub... that answer is yes... but it would need a method of going from there to you or the water in the tub.

If the faucet contacts the water or yourself then it could complete the circuit and you might get a bit toasty... otherwise it would be safe.
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