![]() ![]() The wrong time is anytime a thunderstorm is nearby.” “People are struck because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lightning tends to strike taller objects,” said John Jensenius, a NOAA National Weather Service lightning expert. “Cell phones, small metal items, jewellery, etc., do not attract lightning. Lightning wants to get to the ground and a tree can often be the quickest way for it to get there if you are standing near it, the electricity will get you too,” states Mr Kirkby.įollowing worldwide media interest in 2006 (BBC News and British Medical Journal ), the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a statement, saying lightning is not attracted to people carrying mobile phones. The last place you want to stand is under a tree. ![]() “At the first signs of visual lightning or audible thunder, you really need to get yourself and your kids indoors. And if you are outside, try to move away from areas of high exposure, such as under a tree. These factors are more important to safety in an electrical storm than the use of a mobile phone.Īdvice provided to the ABC from Grant Kirkby, an Australian specialist on lightning mitigation risks is that staying indoors during a storm is the best way to protect yourself from a lightning strike. Mobile phones are low power devices and do not have any characteristics which would make them attractive to lightning strikes.Īlthough some people speculate mobile phones pose a risk when used outdoors because lightning is attracted to metal, the amount of metal contained in a mobile phone is not enough to increase your risk of being struck by lightning.Īccording to safety experts, somebody who is outside increases their risk of being struck if they are on high ground, in an open space, near water or near large metallic structures or trees. While it is sensible to avoid using a fixed- line (copper wire) phone during a thunderstorm the same precaution does not apply to mobile phones or fibre optic cable (Note – while many NBN connections are fibre optic you should check with your service provider to confirm). We are all aware of the risks of lightning strikes during thunderstorms but sometimes these risks are misunderstood.
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