The best way to stay safe during thunderstorm season is to avoid being outdoors when lightning is present. Especially during peak storm months, always check the weather forecast before planning outdoor activities, and have a backup plan ready in case of sudden storms.

However, staying indoors doesn’t automatically guarantee safety. According to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), nearly one-third of lightning-related injuries occur indoors (source: NOAA Lightning Safety).

To protect yourself and your family, here are 15 important things you should never do during a thunderstorm:

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1. Don’t Take a Shower or Bath

Never bathe or shower during a thunderstorm. If lightning strikes nearby, the electrical current can travel through plumbing and water pipes, posing a risk of electric shock (source: CDC Lightning Safety).

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2. Don’t Sit or Lean Against Concrete Walls or Floors

Concrete structures are usually reinforced with metal bars or wire mesh — both excellent conductors of electricity. Avoid touching or leaning against concrete surfaces during a storm.

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3. Don’t Use a Landline Telephone

While mobile phones are generally safe (if not charging), corded phones are not. Lightning can travel through telephone lines and strike the person holding the receiver.

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4. Don’t Stay Outdoors

If you’re caught outside, seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or a metal-roofed vehicle. Do not stand in open fields, near trees, or under isolated shelters. If no protection is available, crouch low with minimal contact with the ground.

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5. Don’t Gather in Groups

If you’re outdoors with others, spread out at least 4–5 meters apart. Staying too close increases the risk of multiple people being struck simultaneously.

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6. Don’t Stand Under Trees

Trees are natural lightning targets. Standing beneath them can be deadly — humans are better conductors than wood, so lightning can jump from the tree to you.

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7. Don’t Stand Near Windows

Stay away from windows and doors during a thunderstorm. Many frames contain metal components that can conduct electricity, and strong winds may shatter glass and send debris flying.

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8. Don’t Charge or Use Plugged-In Electronics

Unplug computers, TVs, and other electronic devices when thunderstorms are expected. Power surges from nearby lightning strikes can damage appliances or cause fires (source: NFPA Lightning Protection Guide).

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9. Don’t Lie Flat on the Ground

Avoid lying down to make yourself “lower.” When lightning strikes the ground, electrical current can travel across the surface for more than 30 meters. Crouch instead, minimizing ground contact.

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10. Don’t Wash Dishes or Handle Running Water

Like bathing, dishwashing can be dangerous because lightning can travel through metal pipes and faucets, causing electrical injuries.

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11. Don’t Use Electric Appliances

Avoid using irons, hairdryers, blenders, or any appliance plugged into an outlet. Lightning-induced power surges can travel through wiring and cause serious harm.

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12. Don’t Do Laundry

Washing machines and dryers contain both metal and water — perfect conductors for electricity. Stay away from them during a storm.

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13. Don’t Swim or Be Near Water

Water is a powerful conductor. Even being near pools, lakes, or beaches during a thunderstorm is extremely dangerous. The American Red Cross recommends the “30–30 rule”: if you see lightning and hear thunder within 30 seconds, seek shelter immediately, and stay inside for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap (source: Red Cross Lightning Safety).

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14. Don’t Shelter in Open Structures

Avoid gazebos, picnic shelters, or any open-sided structures. These do not provide real protection from lightning. If possible, get inside a fully enclosed car or building.

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15. Don’t Go Outside Immediately After the Last Thunderclap

Wait at least 30 minutes after the final thunder sound before resuming outdoor activities. Lightning can strike even after a storm seems to have passed — sometimes as far as 15 km away from rainfall areas (source: NOAA Lightning Facts).

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⚠️ Final Advice

Lightning is one of nature’s most unpredictable forces. A single bolt can heat the air to five times hotter than the surface of the sun and strike faster than you can blink. The safest strategy? “When thunder roars, go indoors.” And once inside, follow these 15 tips to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe.