Is it safe to charge your phone during a storm?

If you’re in the middle of a storm, it might be tempting to charge your phone so you know it’s full and ready to go in the event of a power outage, but that’s not a good idea. Especially if you see that lightning and hear that cracking, it means there’s a storm outside. If your phone’s battery is low during this storm, under no circumstances should you plug it into a wall outlet and start charging, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is important – don’t do it.

Charging your phone in the middle of a storm poses a danger to your phone and, more importantly, to your life. The act itself will not attract lightning. In an interview with AccuWeather, John Jensenius, a lightning safety expert, said that nothing really attracts lightning. Being struck by lightning is a game of chance. It doesn’t matter whether you charge your phone on a power outlet or not. However, he said “lightning does follow wires and fences and things of that nature.”

This means that if lightning strikes the nearest utility pole, it can send tens of thousands of volts into your home. Your phone can’t handle that much strain and will get fried in the process. It can also cause injury if it bursts and you could be electrocuted. You can charge your phone during a storm using a portable charger or laptop, as long as you don’t plug either of those into a wall outlet.

Once you learn a storm is forecast, it’s best to charge your devices well in advance – keep an eye on warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) to gauge timing. Charge your phones and tablets well before the storm arrives and make sure you charge them properly. You should also charge your portable chargers, laptops, lights, and any other devices you may need. Remember that none of your wireless devices will attract lightning, meaning they will be safe to use during a storm. It’s possible that strong winds from a storm could cause a power outage, so avoid any habits that will quickly drain your phone’s battery. You might need it in an emergency.

When the storm hits, it’s time to act. Make sure all your electronics and appliances are unplugged, from the TV and your games console to your refrigerator and washing machine. Do this even if you have a whole-house surge protector. Although these manage to absorb excess electricity spikes from the power grid and ground them, the volts from a direct lightning strike can still overwhelm their systems. It can be like emptying a swimming pool into a cup. Much of it can still spill over and damage anything still plugged in, so don’t rely entirely on surge protectors, no matter how expensive they are.