I'm glad it didn't blow my nose off

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dangers of lightning strikes, particularly in relation to personal safety during storms. Participants share personal experiences, safety precautions, and concerns about the potential long-term effects of lightning strikes on individuals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the long-term health effects of lightning strikes, noting that symptoms of cellular and organ damage may not appear immediately.
  • Another participant shares a personal experience of being shocked by a monitor during a storm, highlighting the unpredictability of electrical discharges.
  • Several participants discuss safety measures, such as unplugging electronics and avoiding certain activities like doing dishes during storms to prevent injury from potential lightning strikes.
  • A participant recounts a childhood experience where lightning struck a tree near their house, emphasizing the unexpected nature of lightning and its potential to cause harm.
  • Some participants express a casual attitude towards storms, indicating a lack of awareness about lightning safety.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of safety during lightning storms, but there are differing views on how seriously to take the risks involved. Some express caution while others seem less concerned.

Contextual Notes

There are references to myths about lightning safety, and some participants challenge each other's practices without reaching a consensus on the best safety measures.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals concerned about lightning safety, those who have experienced lightning storms, or anyone looking to understand the risks associated with electrical discharges during storms.

Ivan Seeking
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"I'm glad it didn't blow my nose off!"

Lightning: Into the foot, and out the nose ring
http://www.breitbart.tv/html/129203.html
[apparently]

The sad thing is that although this girl and her mother think she's alright, severe shock victims can first exhibit symptoms of cellular damage, and other damage to organs, long after the initial event. From what I understand, there is no way to know if she has been severely injured or not, for years to come.

Once upon a time, telephones were one of the most common conduits for lightning strikes. A strike could hit the phone line some distance away, and direct the energy right into one's ear and brain. Wireless phones have pretty much eliminated that problem, but now we sit at computers that are often plugged in for power. Whenever I hear a lightning storm approaching, I unplug and disconnect the DSL.
 
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As long as she's still cute.
 


Ivan Seeking said:
Whenever I hear a lightning storm approaching, I unplug and disconnect the DSL.

yup...I was sitting next to my computer during a lightning storm once. Everything was on...and then all of a sudden...a discharge occurred straight from my monitor. I wasn't in the path...though it still shocked the hell out of me.
 


Gear300 said:
though it still shocked the hell out of me.

:smile:
 


Why would you want to turn on the garden hose after a storm? I'm glad she's not seriously hurt.

I always unplug my computer and wait with doing the dishes until a lightning storm has passed.
 


Monique,you shouldn't be doing dishes during a storm with lightening. If your home or apartment should get hit, water may conduct the bolt right to you. Please read
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/more.htm Look under the Myths heading. No showers either.
 
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hypatia said:
Monique,you shouldn't be doing dishes during a storm with lightening.
That's why I don't :smile:

Last night there was a lightning storm and I hesitated whether to go and brush my teeth, I was really tired so I did, but with some apprehension.
 


I'm sorry I miss read what you posted:redface: lol Maybe I need that second cup of coffee after all.
 


Wow, I didn't know about any of this. I carry on as usual and hope to Science my power doesn't go out because then I'll be bored. :(
 
  • #10


Monique said:
Why would you want to turn on the garden hose after a storm? I'm glad she's not seriously hurt.

I always unplug my computer and wait with doing the dishes until a lightning storm has passed.

When I was a kid, lightning struck a tree next to our house. My mother was standing at the sink and was hit by ~ 2 foot long electric streamers coming from the faucet. Luckily she wasn't hurt, but I have never seen her jump so high since. :biggrin:
 
  • #11


We get thunder and lightning around here but for some reason it is rarely anywhere near us. Maybe it stays mostlhy out to ocean or in fields.