Using a wireless telephone (like a cell phone or cordless phone) is generally safer than a landline during lightning because wireless phones don’t have a physical connection to the electrical grid or ground like landlines do. Landlines connect to wires that can conduct electricity, making them vulnerable to surges from a lightning strike. Wireless phones, relying on radio waves, are less likely to conduct electricity and pose a lower risk of electrical shock during a storm.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Electrical Conductivity:
Landline phones are part of a network of wires that can conduct electricity. If a lightning strike damages nearby power lines or telephone poles, the electrical surge can travel through these wires and potentially injure anyone using the landline.
Wireless Phones and Radio Waves:
Wireless phones, like cell phones or cordless phones, operate using radio waves. They don’t have a physical connection to the ground or a direct connection to the electrical grid. This means they are less likely to conduct electricity from a lightning strike.
Safety during a Storm:
Therefore, using a wireless phone during a lightning storm is considered safer because it reduces the risk of electrical shock. Additionally, wireless phones are portable, allowing users to move to a safer location if needed.