Marek Kučera 
A 19-year-old teenager from Russellville, Alabama was struck by lightning inside her own home during a thunderstorm—a frightening and rare event. The lightning did not strike her directly but traveled through an electrical outlet into her phone charger while she was using her phone. This caused a sudden electric shock that resulted in tingling sensations in her arm and temporary memory loss. Thankfully, she survived without critical injury, but the incident serves as a powerful reminder of the hidden dangers of using electronic devices during storms.
Doctors who treated the teenager noted that her position—lying on her right side—might have played a role in preventing the electrical current from reaching her heart, potentially reducing the severity of the injury. Despite being indoors and seemingly safe, the incident illustrates how lightning can travel through wiring and metal structures within a home, making the use of plugged-in devices during storms particularly hazardous.
This event highlights a common but often overlooked safety mistake: using plugged-in electronics during thunderstorms. Lightning can cause surges that travel along power lines and wiring, putting anyone using electrical appliances at risk. Experts recommend unplugging devices and avoiding the use of phones and other electronics connected to power sources during thunderstorms to prevent such accidents.
