Saturday, July 14, 2007

Using Electronic devices in rain could be very hazardous


Be careful if you are using gadgets while it’s raining, these small gadgets in your pockets could be like a time bomb for you. There were many incidents of gadget users shaken up by thunder lightening. This news was also sited in most of the local news papers here, which says. “Listen to an iPod during a storm and you may get more than electrifying tunes.” Even after such advancements in technology, the masters couldn’t win over this natural hazard. Electronic devices attract lightning in the same way as the tall trees do. There were many incidents reported from past a year or so in which gadget users are getting affected by this natural effect.




A Canadian jogger suffered wishbone-shaped chest and neck burns when lightening current traveled through his music player’s wires. Sources also reported that this incident has decreased about 50% of his listening capacity. Surprised!!! No not to be, this guy was standing under a tree while it was raining and for passing on his time, he was listening to devotional music on his portable music player with an ear phone hooked in. He would not have imagined that this would cost him a lot. Even though the wires were out of his shirt, he suffered this injury. Other guy who was mowing the grass at his home had burns due to his earphone wires on the sides of his face, his hips got nasty burns as the music player was in his pocket. In an other incident, a 39 year old jogger got second degree burns while listening to music on the way back to his house from jogging. This un-fortunate incident dislocated tiny ear bones that transmit sound waves. He is still suffering as even one year down the line he is still wearing safety equipments. There was also an incident where in a man got struck by lightning when the current ran through his pager.

So, next time when you are out under open sky, be careful with your small iPod, iPhone, cell phone or other electronic gadgets. Try to avoid taking shelter under a tree when it is raining, opt for hardcore shelter instead. To be on safe side, do not talk on mobiles and listen to music while it is lightening or when there is a bad whether. If you are planning for an outing, better seek Meteorological department or explore different whether forecasts in news or on net.




Prevention is Better Than Cure


Safety measures by struckbylightning

Weather Decision Technologies




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