Most people can't bear to be without their cell phones, iPod or Blackberries, but there's growing evidence that you don't want to have them with you in a storm. An Associated Press story says emergency room physicians are treating a surprising number of injuries from people who've been struck by lightning while listening to an iPod or carrying a PDA. A Canadian dentist suffered two ruptured eardrums and broke his jaw in four places after getting hit by lightning while jogging two summers ago. Maybe it was stupid to go running in the rain, but try telling that to an avid runner.
Not all of these cases involve people who've been out in severe weather, either. One teenager was injured while mowing the lawn when the storm was far off in the distance. More than a dozen people have been hit while talking on cell phones, including people who were under bus shelters. Apple's iPod instruction book tells you not to use them in the rain, but most people presume it's to protect the device and not the wearer.
Having an iPod in your pocket doesn't necessarily make you a human lightning rod, but you can get a contact burn. There's also very little risk in cars or indoors. The biggest danger, apparently, is a ruptured eardrum. That will make it very difficult to ever enjoy music the way you used to. In an era where most of carry at least one electronic device on us at all times, it's a good idea to remember that nature sometimes has different ideas.
Read more about lightning strikes here and give us your thoughts in the comments section.