Yes, lightning can indeed hit swimming pools, posing a significant danger to anyone in or near the water. Swimming in a thunderstorm with lightning present is not safe, whether you're in the ocean or a pool.
Why Swimming Pools Are Vulnerable to Lightning Strikes
The primary reason swimming pools are susceptible to lightning strikes and are extremely dangerous during a thunderstorm is due to water's conductive properties.
- Water Conducts Electricity: As the provided reference highlights, "A body of water is the equivalent of putting a hairdryer in a bath." Water, especially tap water with dissolved impurities, is an excellent conductor of electricity. When lightning strikes water, the electrical current can spread rapidly through the entire body of water.
- Increased Likelihood of Strike: The reference explicitly states that "lightning is more likely to strike water than land." This is because water bodies can be expansive, relatively flat, and often contain dissolved minerals that enhance their conductivity, making them attractive targets for lightning seeking the path of least resistance.
- Connected Systems: Even if lightning doesn't directly hit the water, it can strike structures around the pool, such as fences, trees, or the building housing an indoor pool, and conduct electricity through the ground or plumbing systems directly into the pool water.
Understanding the Danger
When lightning strikes a pool, the electrical charge can spread instantaneously throughout the entire volume of water, electrifying it. Anyone in the water, or even touching the water's surface, could be subjected to a potentially fatal electrical shock. The risk extends beyond direct contact; the electrical current can travel through the surrounding ground, posing a threat to individuals standing near the pool as well.
| Hazard Aspect | Description | Safety Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Conductivity | Water allows lightning's current to spread rapidly across the entire pool. | Direct electrical shock for anyone in the water. |
| Increased Strike Target | Bodies of water, including pools, are often more attractive targets for lightning than land. | Higher probability of a strike hitting the pool area. |
| Indirect Conduction | Lightning can strike nearby objects (trees, structures, plumbing) and transfer current to the pool. | Danger persists even if the strike isn't direct on the water. |
| Current Spread | The electrical charge can travel through the ground surrounding the pool. | Risk to individuals standing near the pool's edge or connected plumbing. |
Essential Lightning Safety Tips Around Pools
Given the significant dangers, taking proper precautions during a thunderstorm is crucial.
Immediate Actions During a Storm:
- Exit the Water Immediately: At the first sign of thunder or lightning, or if a storm is approaching, get out of the pool (and any other body of water like lakes or oceans) without delay. Do not wait for the storm to be directly overhead.
- Seek Safe Shelter: Move to a substantial building with wiring and plumbing. Avoid small sheds, isolated trees, or open-sided structures, which offer little to no protection.
- Stay Indoors: Once inside a safe building, avoid contact with plumbing (showers, sinks) and electrical appliances, as lightning can travel through these systems.
Post-Storm Precautions:
- Wait It Out: Do not return to the pool until at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder or flash of lightning. This "30-minute rule" is a widely recommended safety guideline from meteorological and safety organizations.
- Monitor Weather Forecasts: Before planning any outdoor water activities, always check the local weather forecast for potential thunderstorms.
By understanding that water conducts electricity and that lightning is more prone to striking water, it becomes clear why staying out of swimming pools during a thunderstorm is a critical safety measure.
