Is it safe to call during a thunderstorm?

During a thunderstorm, it is dangerous to use a landline telephone indoors, as lightning can strike the line and transmit electricity to the device. A mobile phone is safer indoors, but it is better to postpone any calls outdoors so as not to become a "lightning rod".

Channel 24 writes about it.

What are the dangers of lightning for users of wired and mobile phones?

The United States National Weather Service emphasizes that during a thunderstorm, the highest risk is associated with landline telephones. If lightning strikes an electrical or telephone network, the current can travel through the cable and strike a person. Similar cases of injury have already been recorded.

Mobile phones are considered relatively safe only under certain conditions indoors:

• The phone is not connected to the charger;  
• The building has good grounding and insulation;  
• You are not standing near metal structures, water pipes, or windows.

However, the situation outside is completely different. The device itself does not "attract" lightning, but a person talking on the phone in a field or on the street increases the risk of being struck by lightning.

Therefore, you can only use a mobile phone during a thunderstorm in a safe room and without charging it. The safest option is to wait out the storm in a shelter and minimise contact with electronics.

As a reminder, if the power supply becomes warm after several hours of charging your smartphone, it is not always a cause for concern. However, it is important to be able to distinguish between normal heating and critical overheating.

We also wrote that the charging port is one of the most vulnerable parts of a smartphone. Even minor contamination can affect its performance, so it is important to know how to clean this element properly without damaging the gadget.