Is It Okay To Use A Toilet During A Thunderstorm?

Thunderstorms can be calming for some, and frightening for others. Beyond the light show and the related roaring sounds, thunderstorms can pose serious risks to your home, which is why a lightning protection system in your home matters if you live in an area that is prone to them. Even though you might think lightning only causes issues outside by striking trees or power lines, it can also damage indoor systems and electronics. In fact, some common household activities should be avoided at all costs during a thunderstorm because they can conduct electricity into your living space. But is it okay to do something as innocent as using the toilet when the lightning is flashing nearby?

As wild as it might sound, it's generally not safe to use a toilet or any indoor plumbing during a thunderstorm. If lightning strikes your home or a nearby utility line, the electric current can travel through metal pipes. Water in your home is an excellent conductor of electricity, and the metal components in toilets, like the pipes or copper fittings, can easily carry a high-voltage surge. The result is a severe electrical shock, which can cause burns or serious injury. Luckily, this phenomenon is rather rare. The CDC states that the overall odds of a lightning strike are below one in a million, and indoor cases represent just a third of that total. Still, to stay safe during lightning strikes, you should avoid using the toilet unless absolutely necessary.

When nature calls, you often need to answer, even during a thunderstorm. While the likelihood of having issues while using the toilet during a thunderstorm is extremely low, it's still better to be safe than sorry, which means minimizing your contact with conductive materials. The safest option is to hold off until the core of the storm passes or you hear the final clap of thunder, since this means the electrical hazard has subsided. If you notice a storm rolling in, try to use the facilities then — most severe thunderstorms only last about 30 minutes, so if you use the toilet ahead of time, you can comfortably wait out the storm.

If you do need to go while there's active lightning, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your safety. First,  use the toilet, but skipping flushing until after the storm can help minimize your overall risk. Sitting on a porcelain toilet bowl carries minimal risk because porcelain is an electrical insulator. However, the metal components of the flushing handle and internal mechanics may connect directly to water or copper pipes. Newer homes with modern PVC pipes carry a significantly lower risk than older homes with all-copper or galvanized steel plumbing, but the water flowing inside those plastic lines can still carry an electrical charge.

If you do use the toilet, skip washing your hands with running water and opt instead for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands safely without touching running water or metal faucets. Similarly, it is not safe to shower during a storm, since there's a high risk of electrical shock through running water and metal pipes. Once the lightning passes, it'll be safe to lather up again with your favorite hand soap and water.