I’ve got a new thing for you to be worried about because—you know—you can never have enough. 

*Originally published in 2019:

If you make a habit of showering during a thunderstorm, maybe you should stop. And you really shouldn't have your water running at all. Plus, there's actually a whole host of other things you probably also shouldn’t be doing during heavy downpours.

It turns out that what may have started as an old wives’ tale, could actually have some merit to it. 

The Today Show reported that it truly is a danger to shower (or do anything related to turning on the water) during a thunderstorm, and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has confirmed it. 

So, why exactly is it so dangerous? Well, suppose your home is struck by lightning. That lightning is going to go through your plumbing and wiring first (and anything else that may be plugged), energizing it. By this logic, anything related to plumbing in your home is vulnerable. And it doesn’t have to hit your house directly to have an impact. It could strike as far as 50 to 100 feet away. (Warn your neighbors.)

What should you be avoiding during a thunderstorm then? Well, The Today Show recommends steering clear of anything using sinks, showers, bathtubs, and the like—even the dishwasher and washer/dryer unit. Oh, and anything plugged in. It also says to wait half an hour after the storm concludes to start using anything. 

Don't let all this freak you out: Just take the information and use it to keep you and your family safe.