You have no fear of getting on a plane or staying confined in a cramped room. Spiders and snakes don’t worry you. You laugh in the face of those who talk about a clown phobia. However, what strikes terror in your heart is the idea of being struck by lightning, no matter how unlikely people may tell you this is!
Did you know that there is such a thing as a phobia of thunder and lightning? And there is no phobia with a prettier name: astrophobia! Fear of thunder storms appears to be a common phenomenon. This deathly fear may be linked to the thunder and bright lights that flash in the sky during lightning storms. Very widespread, this phobia also affects animals, particularly dogs. The fear of storms goes back to the beginning of time. Archaeologists and historians have collected texts, paintings and drawings linked to this age old fear, dating back thousands of years BC. Here are 10 things you should never do during a storm if you want to protect yourself from lightning.
The singer Madonna has an uncontrollable fear of storms. Every time she is due to give an open air concert, she consults several different and contradictory weather forecasts to reassure herself that there won’t be a storm that night.
1/ Take a bath
In the case of violent storms, and if your house doesn’t have a surge arrester, electricity can pass through the pipes. Distance yourself from sources of water.
2/ Do the dishes
In the case of storms, it is best to avoid touching metal fixtures around the house. So now, you have your excuse!
3/ Take shelter under an umbrella
The handle of your umbrella is no doubt metallic. Remember that it’s better to keep away from metal during a storm…. And especially don’t put it just over your head!
4/ Lean against walls or radiators
If your home isn’t equipped with a lightning rod, avoid leaning against the walls and radiators. The same goes for when you’re out and about. If you really need support and have become convinced that the end is nigh, curl up on the floor with your legs bent!
5/ Use a landline
For once, it is better to use your smartphone than your landline. Why? Landlines can conduct overvoltages.
