Are you afraid of lightning? If so, why?
By Biomechanoid
@Biomechanoid (2923)
Estonia
August 3, 2011 4:27pm CST
Hi people!
We had a terrible thunderstorm around here recently. Lightning hit multiple trees, cutting them in half and voltage jumps caused by the storm ruined many house appliances. Luckily no people got injured in this thunderstorm.
That made me want to ask you: Are you afraid of lightning? And what is it you fear the most?
I am personally not afraid of those bright flashes and loud sounds, but I fear that my house electronics may get damaged during the lightning storms, so I always unplug everything I can during the storm. And of course, if I was outside on the open ground, I would have fear of being thunderstruck too.
What about you, fellow myLotters?
16 responses
@missyphoebe (289)
• Philippines
4 Aug 11
I don't usually get afraid of the thunder and lightning BUt I am also like you. Two days ago I felt like the lightning is so near and I was afraid that it might struck us. And I can suddenly heard my mom nagging me to unplug all the appliances (and my mom is in the province that time) and so, I unplug all the appliances and I even turn off all my mobiles and put it in my drawer (I usually sleep with my phones under my pillows -- use it as my alarm clock to wake me up).
So, been there and done that too! We are on the same boat. Regret is always in the end right? so better be safe!
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
8 Aug 11
That's right, you lose nothing if you take extra protective measures, but you can win a lot (avoiding serious accident, saving your and someone else's lives).
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Haha, I feel you! I think we're doing everything right, cause it's always best to minimize the chance of accident than just hope that it won't happen. This way you can be sure that you're safe at home. By the way, my mother also asks me to turn off all the cell phones cause she thinks these devices may attract the ball lightning or just get damaged when switched on during the lightning. Thanks for answering! :)
@missyphoebe (289)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
there's nothing to lose if you follow your elders, right? :)and besides its our life we're talking about. some people might percieved that we are a bit paranoid but then again in our defense we are just thingking "safety first!" ;)
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Such a great danger luring around can make us feel unsafe during the lightning storms. It's natural. Thanks for dropping by! :)
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
4 Aug 11
Fear is only useful if it encourages you to take sensible precautions to avoid the danger. In that sense, one could say that I am 'afraid' of lightning because when there is a chance of it, I take all the precautions I can and then just sit back and enjoy the show.
There is no point in letting the fear of something dominate one's life.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Agree, we're talking about fear and not panic, right? It's wise to be afraid of what's really dangerous and take proper precautions to avoid the danger. Thanks for answering! :)
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Right, lightning has enough power to render a lot of complicated electronics unusable. The cases where lightning has knocked out electrical substations are not rare around the world. Thanks for responding! :)
@zerd87 (301)
• Philippines
4 Aug 11
I am not afraid with lightning. I am just afraid if it hits me. Lots people being killed by lighting either it is direct or indirect hit. That is why they say that, stay in you're house if there is thunderstorm because it might hit you. Well in the end if it is really you're time I guess you have no choice.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
You're right, we are the ones that can take care of ourselves. If possible, we should stay inside in case of a lightning and don't push our luck by running around outside. Thanks for responding! ;)
@flowerfest08 (1677)
•
4 Aug 11
yeah im afraid of lightning, just the idea of it that might hit me is already frightening, but i'm more afraid of thunder, just the loud sound of that makes me jump and run into my room.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Loud sounds are unpleasant and the sound of thunder sounds quite threatening, so it's normal that it makes you feel uneasy in some way. Thanks for dropping by! ;)
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Well, those massive thunderstorms may be very beautiful to view at times. You may see different shapes and colors present in the sky. It's very spectacular. But anyway, I like to watch thunder from a safe place, home or a car and not on the open ground or under the tree. Safety first as they say! Thanks for responding! :)
@katie0 (5203)
• Japan
4 Aug 11
It's a stupid, unconscious thing. But in my home land the thunders were so loud and the lightning so bright that until now I feel shivers when I hear and see them. I know it's not dangeours if I'm at home but because I was so freaked out as a child, I have some reactions nowadays.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Hey, that's nothing to be ashamed of! Sometimes things experienced in childhood may be influencing our lives long after the actual events. Stay strong and thanks for responding! :)
@xuyxuy (432)
• Philippines
4 Aug 11
Lightning by itself am not afraid at all, but what I'm afraid of is when that lightning struck something else and will eventually injured someone. There are a lot of incidence here wherein houses are struck with lightning and people inside it were burn. It was so horrible. I also agree, I also fear that electronic devices might be damage during lightnings. Honestly I don't like the sound of the thunder, it made scared me more.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
I think it's natural to care for other people who are close to you. Of course we start to worry (more or less) if we see a fellow person in danger. And yeah, loud sounds also create some stress and make us worry a bit. Thanks for answering! :)
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
3 Aug 11
I agree, it's better to be careful than to pay a hard price for consequences later. For me it's okay if lightning is miles away, but if it's right above my head, it's a creepy feeling. There were cases when the lightning caught me away from home, outside. I tried to be as careful as I could to safely reach home. Thanks for responding! :)
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Well, loud sounds can freak us out at times, it's normal. Just seal your windows while you're at home to avoid ball lightning and everything should be okay. Thanks for answering! :)
@Jacruz25 (1124)
• Philippines
4 Aug 11
I'm only afraid in lightning if i'm outside the house or on open ground. Inside the house i'm not much afraid because I feel safe but still when fast flash of light appears i get a little scared. I'm not scared of thunder i'm only scared of the flash of light.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
It's normal to be afraid if there might be something threatening your health or even life. Staying outside during the thunderstorm may really have serious consequences. And yeah, sudden light flashes tend to scare me too sometimes. Thanks for sharing! :)
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
You're right. If lightning is above you take cover where you can, but not under the tree! Thanks for responding!:)
@cow_boy29 (236)
• United States
4 Aug 11
hem i am not afraid of lighting but i am just like shock hear duaarrr from lighting, feel like my ear hear the blast of bomb lol
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
4 Aug 11
Yup, lightning can be quite loud at times. Thanks for sharing! :)
@CelticSoulSister (1640)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
2 Sep 11
Also...I forgot...it's potentially risky during a thunderstorm to use the phone (landline) as power surges from the storm or lightning itself can enter through the phone line, although I'm led to believe that mobile phones are OK so long as used indoors.
@CelticSoulSister (1640)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
2 Sep 11
I have a deep phobia of lightning and always unplug everything electrical before a storm starts. I'm also scared of the bangs & flashes. I've done a lot of research on the internet through worldwide meteorological websites, and have learned that thunder doesn't strike but lightning is potentially very dangerous. It's on the rare side to get struck or for your property to get struck, but if that happens (re: your property) it will often hit the roof or a TV aerial, and can enter by earthing itself on your electricity supply or your water taps, hence these websites recommend never taking a bath or a shower, washing hands or other parts of the body, or washing dishes during a storm where there's lightning.
