It’s all too easy to fall behind on household chores. You do your best to catch up, but sometimes it feels like life itself is conspiring against you to keep you perpetually off track. For example, it may be tempting to try to race a storm and finish your to-do list for the day. This is doubly true if you’re behind on your laundry routine. But if you grew up somewhere where lightning storms were common, you may have been taught to avoid things like showering and using appliances during a thunderstorm because you could burn your home down. We looked to the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to find out if it’s actually safe to run your laundry during a thunderstorm.
Can I Run Laundry During a Thunderstorm?
The short answer is no, you should refrain from running your laundry during a thunderstorm. According to the NWS, “any device that uses electricity (e.g. computers, televisions, household appliances, etc.) is susceptible to a lightning strike.” As such, you shouldn’t “use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, or stoves.”
Why Is It Dangerous to Do Laundry During a Thunderstorm?
Per to the CDC, “lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.” If your laundry machines connect to an electrical outlet, they pose a risk. They’re primed to conduct electricity if they’re running when your home gets struck by lightning.
Gas-powered appliances aren’t safe either. Even if your laundry machines aren’t hooked into your electrical system, your washer still uses water to clean your clothes. The CDC does say that “the risk of lightning travelling [sic] through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes.” However, it’s still a possibility. Therefore, “it is best to avoid any contact with plumbing and running water during a lightning storm to reduce your risk of being struck.” The NWS agrees, adding that “metal plumbing and the water inside are both very good conductors of electricity.”
How Can I Protect Myself and My Home?
Unfortunately, you cannot eliminate all risk. However, there are several things you can do to lessen your chances of getting struck by lightning. First and foremost, you’ll need to get inside. The NWS explains that “being inside a house or other building with electrical wiring and plumbing is your safest option during a thunderstorm.” However, your emergency preparedness shouldn’t stop there. Being inside “does not guarantee you will be 100% safe from lightning. There are still some lightning safety guidelines you must follow while inside a place of shelter to keep yourself safe.”
Electricity
The CDC suggests that you “equip your home with whole-house surge protectors to protect your appliances.” The NWS adds that you should also “consider unplugging certain appliances or electronics, but for your own safety, do this before the storm arrives.”
Plumbing
When it comes to plumbing, the CDC says that you should not “bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing.” The NWS agrees, also specifying that washing your hands and running laundry are dangerous. Wait until the storm has fully passed before you use your laundry machines.
Sources
- Lightning Safety Awareness Week, National Weather Service
- Safety Guidelines: Lightning, Center for Disease Control
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