Can you shower during a thunderstorm? Everything to know on how to stay safe this monsoon

Although monsoon season usually comes in every summer as an awaited reprieve from the summer heat and an enchanting weather spectacle, it can also bring some hazards and dangers that residents should prepare for.

According to the University of Arizona's Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, Arizona receives about 600,000 lightning strikes per year. Most strikes occur during monsoon season, which begins on June 15 and ends on Sept. 30, even though monsoon activity typically doesn't ramp up until early July.

With Phoenix experiencing its first monsoon storms of the season this week and a few isolated thunderstorms making an appearance, Valley residents may be getting ready for the rolling haboobs, lightning storms and flash flooding before weather activity hikes up.

Here's everything you need to know about how to stay safe this monsoon season.

Can you shower during a thunderstorm?

No, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against showering or bathing during a lightning storm because lightning can travel through plumbing.

It is also suggested that you do not wash dishes or your hands to avoid any contact with plumbing and running water during a thunderstorm. Plastic pipes rather than metal ones can also reduce the risk of being struck.

More advice from the CDC to stay safe while indoors during a thunderstorm include:

• Stay away from electrical equipment or cords, including corded phones.

• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches and balconies.

• Do not use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers or other electronic equipment.

• Do not lie down on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.

Are cell phones and cordless phones safe to use during a thunderstorm?

Yes. Cell phones and cordless phones are safe to use during a thunderstorm if they are not connected to an outlet through a charger, according to the CDC.

Never use corded phones during a lightning storm.

How can I protect myself from a lightning strike?

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself during a thunderstorm is to go indoors immediately after you start to hear thunder.

The National Weather Service and CDC advise checking weather conditions and planning any outdoor activities accordingly, but if you happen to be outside when a thunderstorm hits, try to seek shelter as soon as possible. The weather service suggests staying inside a safe building or vehicle for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder.

If you can't find shelter, a last resort is to crouch down into a ball-like position with your head tucked, hands over your ears and your feet closely together. Never seek shelter under a tree or lie down on the floor. Being underneath trees is the second leading cause of lightning deaths, according to the CDC.

The weather service also suggests staying away from towers, utility poles and fences, and spreading out if you are with a group of people. While spreading out can increase the chance of someone getting struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties and increases the chances that someone can help if a person is struck.

What do I do if someone is struck by lighting?

The weather service says if you see someone struck by lightning, you should call 911 immediately and begin CPR if you are trained.

It is safe to touch a lightning victim, so you should immediately administer first aid because the primary cause of death for those struck by lightning is cardiac arrest. If you have an automatic external defibrillator available, use it.

Lastly, try to move the victim to a safer place as lightning can strike the same place twice.

How many people are injured or die from lightning strikes each year?

Lightning strike injuries are not well documented. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that about 180 people are injured each year due to lightning in the U.S.

While only about 10% of lightning victims die, many survivors must live the rest of their lives with intense pain, neurological disabilities, depression or other health problems, according to the CDC.

Can I get struck by lightning if there is no rain?

Yes. Even if you don’t see rain, you could still be at risk of a lightning strike.

Lightning often strikes outside areas of heavy rain and can strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. According to the CDC, any lightning deaths occur ahead of storms or after storms seemingly have passed.

So, the bottom line is: If you can hear thunder, you might be in danger of a lightning strike.

Does lightning ever strike the same place twice?

Yes. Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially on tall, pointy or isolated objects.

The Empire State Building, for example, is hit by lightning about 23 times a year, according to the CDC.

What is my risk of being struck by lightning?

The odds are less than one in a million in a given year, according to the CDC.

However, most lightning strikes occur in the summer months, especially in July, during the afternoon and evening, so the risk heightens during that time of the year. You might also have a higher risk if you work outside or live in an area with particularly strong lighting activity.

Who is at greatest risk for lightning strikes?

Men are four times more likely than women to be struck by lightning, according to the CDC. Outdoor workers or people who enjoy going outdoors for recreational activities are also among those who make up the majority of lighting strike victims every year.

How can lightning cause injuries?

Lightning can cause injuries in several ways:

• Direct strike: A direct strike is often fatal.

• Contact injury: Lightning strikes an object, such as a car or metal pole, the victim is touching.

• Side flash: Lightning splashes or bounces off an object, such as a tree or person, onto the victim.

• Ground current: Lightning strikes the ground near a victim and the ground current passes from the strike point through the ground and into the victim.

• Streamer: When the air is charged with electricity during a lightning storm, bursts of energy, or streamers, can come upward from objects near the ground. Sometimes these streamers travel upwards through people, causing harm.

• Blast injury: The lightning's blast effect and sound might directly cause injury, such as ruptured eardrums, or might cause the person to fall or be thrown against an object.

Laura Daniella Sepulveda is a trending reporter for The Arizona Republic. Reach her on X at @lauradaniella_s or by email at laura.sepulveda@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can you shower during a thunderstorm? Your lightning safety guide