Does Using a Smartphone in the Rain Increase the Risk of Lightning Strikes?

According to a 2006 report in the medical journal of the US National Library of Medicine, using a cell phone during a thunderstorm does not increase the risk of being struck by lightning. Researchers assert that phones are low-power devices and the electromagnetic radiation they emit is too weak to act as a "portable lightning rod."

Many people worry that the metal components in phones can attract lightning, but the amount of metal in a phone is not much. Similarly, metal jewelry such as earrings, rings, necklaces, watches are not enough to increase the risk of being struck by lightning. In fact, these concerns stem from confusion with devices that have copper wiring connections that are more likely to attract lightning.

Smartphones are just low power devices, the electricity emitted from them is very weak, not enough to form a 'mobile lightning rod'.

There are many cases of lightning-related accidents while using a phone, but they can be divided into two categories: Unforeseen lightning strikes and those caused by using a phone while charging. Unforeseen lightning strikes often occur when standing near lightning sources such as trees, chimneys, lakes, open areas or near structures with a lot of metal. The risk of being struck by lightning is very high whether or not you are using a phone.

In case of using the phone while charging, if the electrical system in the house does not have anti-shock protection, when lightning strikes the electrical system, it can cause short circuit, overload, leading to damage to the phone's power source or even short circuit or explosion if there is too much heat in the phone battery.

Using a smartphone during a storm does not increase the risk of being struck by lightning as many people fear. The most important thing is to find a safe shelter. Stay away from places that are at risk of attracting lightning such as lakes, water tanks, and especially tree roots.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/su-dung-dien-thoai-ngoai-troi-mua-co-lam-tang-nguy-co-set-danh-post296622.html