Is your phone safe in a thunderstorm? Physicist warns the real danger is in the charger

Modern mobile phones neither attract lightning nor make a person a target for an electrical discharge, according to Arseniy Buryakov, head of the terahertz spintronics laboratory at RTU MIREA. He shared his insights with Gazeta.Ru, debunking a common myth about smartphone use during thunderstorms.

Buryakov emphasized that the actual danger arises when a smartphone is plugged into a wall outlet during a storm. Powerful voltage surges in power grids, caused by a lightning strike on a power line, can damage the charging unit, ruin the battery, and even trigger a local fire. The expert strongly recommended disconnecting computers, televisions, and routers from the mains until the weather clears.

Using landline phones is also not advisable, as an electrical impulse easily travels through the cable and can cause electric shock or injury. The physicist stressed that being outdoors in an open area or near tall objects poses a real threat regardless of the presence of gadgets. Talking on a smartphone outside only distracts a person from seeking reliable shelter, making it harder to stay safe.

Buryakov advised using any electronic devices only inside a secure building after the storm has passed. In a separate statement, expert Mikhail Dinamika previously noted that extreme heat can also damage a smartphone, underscoring the need for proper care of electronics in various weather conditions.