You’ve probably heard it’s smart to avoid plumbing during a thunderstorm. But could showering or washing dishes actually put you at risk? The answer is yes. Lightning can strike up to ten miles away from a storm, and if you can hear thunder, you’re already within striking distance. According to John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council, electricity from a strike can travel through pipes and water, potentially shocking you.

That means skipping the shower, washing your hands, or running the dishwasher isn’t overreacting. Even doing laundry becomes dangerous, as washing machines connect to both plumbing and electrical outlets. Some people assume plastic pipes make showering safe. That’s a myth. Water itself conducts electricity. Outdoors, lightning striking near a puddle has electrocuted people nearby. Indoors, the same principle applies.

The safety depends partly on how your home is grounded. Modern homes typically use grounding rods driven into the earth, separate from plumbing lines. But older homes sometimes had electrical systems grounded directly to the plumbing. If that’s the case, your risk increases significantly during a storm. A licensed electrician can inspect your system and, if needed, install dedicated grounding rods away from the house.

For safety, the National Weather Service advises staying indoors and away from metal, plumbing, anything plugged into a wall, concrete, windows, and doors. And remember—picnic shelters, dugouts, and dog houses are not safe. A vehicle with a metal roof is safe only if the windows are fully closed. When thunder roars, go indoors. And leave the dishes for later.