Is It Safe To Charge Your Phone During A Thunderstorm?
If you find yourself caught in a storm, it might be tempting to charge your phone to ensure it’s fully powered in case of a blackout, but that’s not advisable. Especially if you notice flashes and hear crackling sounds, it indicates there’s a thunderstorm occurring. If your phone’s battery is running low during that thunderstorm, you should definitely avoid plugging it into a wall outlet for charging, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is crucial — do not attempt it.
Charging your phone amidst a thunderstorm poses a risk not only to your phone but primarily to your safety. The act itself won’t draw in lightning. In a discussion with AccuWeather, lightning safety expert John Jensenius pointed out that nothing truly attracts lightning. Being struck by lightning is a matter of chance. It makes no difference whether you are charging your phone at a power outlet or not. However, he did mention that “lightning can follow wires, fences, and similar objects.”
This indicates that if lightning were to strike the closest electric pole, it could send tens of thousands of volts surging through your home. Your phone cannot survive that amount of voltage and will likely be damaged in the process. Additionally, if it bursts, it can cause injury, and you could face electrocution. You can use a portable charger or a laptop to charge your phone during a thunderstorm, provided you do not connect any of those to a wall outlet.
Getting your phone ready for a thunderstorm is essential
Once you become aware that a thunderstorm is approaching, it’s wise to charge your devices ahead of time — stay alert for alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) to determine timing. Charge your smartphones and tablets sufficiently before the storm is anticipated to hit, and make sure they are being charged correctly. You should also charge your portable chargers, laptops, lamps, and any other devices that may be necessary. Keep in mind, none of your cordless devices will attract lightning, making them safe to use during a thunderstorm. There’s a possibility that the strong winds of a thunderstorm might lead to a power outage, so refrain from engaging in habits that will rapidly deplete your phone’s battery. You might require it in an emergency.
When the storm arrives, it’s time to take action. Ensure that all your electronics and appliances are unplugged, from the television to your gaming console to your refrigerator and washing machine. Do this even if you have a whole-house surge protector in place. Although they do a decent job of absorbing excessive electricity spikes from the power grid and grounding them, the volts from a direct lightning strike can still surpass their capabilities. It can be akin to pouring a swimming pool’s contents into a cup. A significant amount can still overflow and damage any devices that remain plugged in, so don’t completely depend on surge protectors, regardless of their cost.