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Can charging phone cause lightning death? Expert advice on risks.

Can charging phone cause lightning death? Expert advice on risks.

Khaosod•Society•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Expert clarifies that mobile phones do not attract lightning, but emphasizes avoiding charging during thunderstorms due to indirect risks.

  • •A 31-year-old man died from a lightning strike while using his phone at home during a storm.
  • •An expert clarifies that mobile phones, their signals, or charging do not attract lightning.
  • •Lightning tends to strike prominent objects; indirect dangers include electrical surges through wires or ground.
  • •Charging phones during thunderstorms is advised against due to potential electrical surges affecting the device.

Overview

  • •On May 29, approximately 8:30 PM, a 31-year-old man died after being struck by lightning while using his mobile phone inside his house.
  • •The incident occurred in Bukrasang Subdistrict, Nongki District, Buriram Province, during a thunderstorm.
  • •R. Prof. Dr. Jesada Denkollpradith stated that mobile phones do not act as lightning attractors.
  • •Lightning is a natural phenomenon that strikes prominent objects like tall trees, buildings, or open areas.
  • •Indirect dangers from lightning strikes include electrical surges traveling through power lines, metal fences, the ground, or even through the air.
  • •Charging a mobile phone during a thunderstorm is not advised because a nearby lightning strike can cause an electrical surge through the power cord, potentially damaging the phone's battery or electronics.
  • •Misunderstanding arises when a struck phone shows signs of burning or explosion, leading to the false belief that the phone attracted the lightning.
  • •While using a phone indoors with lightning protection is generally safe, one should avoid standing in open areas or under trees during thunderstorms.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Key Quotes

R. Prof. Dr. Jesada Denkollpradith
"“Charging a mobile phone does not attract lightning (but there can be danger from electrical current).”"
“ชาร์จโทรศัพท์มือถือ ไม่ได้ล่อฟ้า (แต่อาจมีอันตรายจากกระแสไฟฟ้าได้)”
R. Prof. Dr. Jesada Denkollpradith
"“Will playing with a mobile phone during a thunderstorm result in a lightning strike? I confirm that mobile phones are not lightning attractors in any way."
“การเล่นโทรศัพท์มือถือ ตอนฟ้าร้อง จะโดนฟ้าผ่าหรือไม่ ? ก็ยืนยันว่า โทรศัพท์มือถือไม่ได้เป็นตัวล่อฟ้าแต่อย่างใด

Key Entities

Person

Ajarn Jesada(อ.เจษฎา)
A lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Biology Department, providing expert commentary on the dangers of lightning strikes.
Mr. Rung(นายรุ่ง)
A 31-year-old man who died from a lightning strike while using his mobile phone at home.
R. Prof. Dr. Jesada Denkollpradith(รศ.ดร.เจษฎา เด่นดวงบริพันธ์)
An academic providing expert advice on the risks associated with mobile phones and lightning.

Organization

Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️
The university where R. Prof. Dr. Jesada Denkollpradith lectures.

Place

Buriram(บุรีรัมย์)ℹ️
The province in Thailand where the fatal lightning strike incident occurred.