Can somebody let me know if something has ever happened to anyone when they talked on the phone during a thunderstorm?-lol My mom always wants to end the phone conversation immediately when she hears thunder but never tells me why she refuses to talk on the phone during a T-storm. So if you know what can happen please tell me.

I would gather she's afraid that if there is lighting it will strike a telephone pole and send an electrical shock through the phone.

Nothing's ever happened to me ;D but it can happen

I never really new it was a problem but yesturday in a thunderstorm my mom was warning me about it.

Yes, I've heard of that.

I've also heard of avoiding showering or bathing, too.

I ussually don't worry about the phone but my mom makes us get of the computer and T.V.. It really annoys me because there's not much chance anything would happen.

My aunt just had an electrical storm blow out her phone lines last weekend, but she wasn't on the phone at the time. So I guess it can happen.

My parents are so complusive about that. My dad will be watching The Weather Channel and see a storm way up north on the radar and tell us to get off the computer even if it's not hitting us. He thinks some random bolt of lightning is going to strike and destroy our computer. Same with the phone and the shower. The shower thing is the only one that makes me nervous... I never shower during an electrical storm.

There is a book about being electrocuted while talking on the phone.
It's called "Saved By The Light," by Dannion Brinkley:

I had a phone and an answering machine that were both messed up by lightning.

I couldn't disconnect a call by hanging up the phone, I had to unplug it. The answering machine just had a loud humming sound.

I know someone who got a shock one time while on the phone during a TS. I won't talk on it during one because it is dangerous. No matter how unlikely, why take the chance?

My dad got struck by lightning as a kid. Eh, he's fine. My mom always makes us get away from the windows and shut off the computer. She's afraid it'll get fried or some crap like that.

yes, you can get shocked. it happened to some people at my dad's office a few years ago.

sually when you hear thunder, there will be lightning trailing along.

See, that's where I think a lot of people get it backwards: Once you hear the thunder, the lightning that caused it's already LONG gone, so it's really strange to suddenly hang up the phone when you hear thunder, since it's lightning's already had it's chance.

And to actually answer the question: I'm rarely on the phono, but if I am during a storm, I'll try to wrap up the conversation at the earliest conveinience - I won't do what my mother does...the classic "SorryIgottagoit'sstormingbyeA*click*", but I'll try to end the conversation when possible. I don't automatically kill all the electricity just because there's a storm 25 mi W of here...that's just silly.

See, that's where I think a lot of people get it backwards: Once you hear the thunder, the lightning that caused it's already LONG gone, so it's really strange to suddenly hang up the phone when you hear thunder, since it's lightning's already had it's chance.



So true, because light travels way faster than sound.

See, that's where I think a lot of people get it backwards: Once you hear the thunder, the lightning that caused it's already LONG gone, so it's really strange to suddenly hang up the phone when you hear thunder, since it's lightning's already had it's chance.
thats why it is soo important to wear your tinfoil hat AT ALL TIMES.



oh, and I really dont ever use the phone, THEY could be listening.

Funny you'd ask this. I just saw a segment on 20/20 last night about "summertime myths".

Apparently it IS quite possible to be struck by lightning while on land-based or digital phones. Using a cell phone is safe - same with a wireless laptop. Other than that, yes, you're supposed to get off the phone AND shut off all computers during a thunderstorm - and wait 30 mins. before booting back up after the last roll of thunder you hear (bolts can arc up to 8 miles)!!! :eek:

Also - you are relatively safe inside a car - unless the car is like a Corvette and is made of fibreglass - it must be made of steel. You can still get burns from metal items (seatbelt buckles), but are enough grounded to survive while the steel frame conducts the current. It'll also fry the electrical system - but you will live.

Do not use electrical appliances though during a storm (microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, etc.) - all and especially around water will conduct lightning. You have a 1 in 11.5 million chance of being struck.