PHOENIX - There's a good chance someone in your lifetime has told you those rubber tires on your vehicle will protect you from lightning. Or you should crouch down in a ball if you're stuck outside in a storm so you don't get struck.
But are those true?
Sari Custer, the Arizona Science Center's chief curiosity officer, is helping us bust lightning myths.
Myth #1: The rubber tires on your vehicle protect you from lightning
"It's not the tires," Custer said. "It's actually the result of if lightning hits your car, it acts as a Faraday cage where the electricity runs on the outside and into the ground. It wants that path of least resistance straight to the ground."
Myth #2: You're taking shelter inside of your vehicle and lightning is crashing all around. You're secure
"As long as you're in your vehicle, you're not necessarily totally safe," Custer said. "Because if you're touching anything that's metal or if you have a convertible top that isn't metal, you really need that full metal car around you to help divert that down to the ground."
That means no touching your GPS, radio or anything electronic or metal. Put your hands in your lap and wait. And if you do all of that, yes, Custer says your metal vehicle should protect you.
Myth #3: You're safe from lightning as long as you're inside of your home
"For the most part that's true," Custer said. "The safest place you can be is indoors, so inside your house or inside work. But structures that have concrete walls with metal rebar in them, that metal can conduct electricity. If your window has a break in it, that lightning can come through."
That also means no using landlines, washing dishes or showering because that current likes to run up those metal pipes.
Myth #4: If someone is struck by lightning next to you, you should not touch them because you could get electrocuted too
"If someone is struck by lightning, they do not retain a charge, so it's safe to get them medical assistance," Custer said.
So, do the right thing and help a friend.
Myth #5: If you're stuck outside in the middle of a storm with nowhere to seek shelter, crouch down in a ball to stay safe
"Crouching down and getting close to the ground gives you more connection to the ground where the lightning wants to strike," Custer said. "It can actually increase your chances of getting struck by lightning."
So, find shelter. Trees are out of the question. If there's no shelter, you're a target. So find it.
