Livestreamer Shocked By Lightning While Gaming: Why Plugged-In Devices Are Risky During Storms
A gamer’s thrilling livestream took a terrible turn when a lightning bolt struck outside his house, stunning both him and the viewers by delivering a charge through his plugged-in headset.
According to John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council, any gadget hooked into a wall becomes a potential danger point during a storm, and lightning can penetrate homes through plumbing and wiring.
The event took place in Holly Springs, North Carolina, on Saturday, July 19, at approximately 9 p.m.
When the screen abruptly went white and a loud crack filled the audio, Chrispymate, as he is known online, was live streaming on Twitch.
Chrispymate jumps out of his chair, tears off his headphones, and runs away from the camera in the footage that is featured in this AccuWeather report. He gasped and cut off the stream immediately, saying, “Bro, I just got struck by lightning.”
Later, he came back to reassure followers that he was okay, explaining how he felt the surge pass through his earphones.
Lightning experts believe it’s a genuine and preventable threat, even though it might sound like a random accident.
According to the National Lightning Safety Council, lightning can enter homes through plumbing and electrical equipment.
Therefore, during a storm, any electrical outlet-connected gadget could be dangerous, including:
- Telephones and earbuds.
- Computers and gaming consoles.
During thunderstorms, experts advise everyone to disconnect electronics and stay away from electrical equipment.
