A 13-year-old was struck by lightning while playing a video game, and thankfully lived to tell the tale. The moment will surely be one that the gamer is not quick to forget, and serves as an important reminder to be careful during lightning storms.
While many never experience it, homes can be struck by lightning during lightning storms. People in the path of severe storms are advised to stay away from things like corded electronics and avoid running faucets or showers when there is a risk of lightning, as such scenarios are rare, but entirely possible.
A 13-year-old boy survived the electric shock
Lightning can be dangerous in video games, as a 13-year-old boy named Vlad Skridin experienced in real life. He is not taking anything for granted after being struck by lightning in his own home. A Texas-based teenager was playing a game during a thunderstorm when lightning struck his home and electrocuted him, landing on the gamer's metal desk, before leaping into his stomach. The incident caused the teenager to jump and scream, and was apparently so frightened and distressed that he thought he would not survive the incident. His father called 911 and emergency medical services evaluated the teenager and determined he was fine and did not need to go to the emergency room.
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Although the shock caused no lasting damage to Vlad, the house was far from safe. The electric shock was significant, apparently traveling through the house wiring. The surge caused a fire in the attic and a hole in the wall, but thankfully, the house is otherwise intact. While Vlad is physically fine, the gamer is severely shaken, who now realizes that “it could end at any time,” and that he still feels dizzy. There is no mention of his gaming device and if it came unharmed from the incident.
There are plenty of people who have successfully played the game through the storm without any problems, but that doesn't mean it's unheard of. As many Twitch streamers are taped live on camera, electrical surges sometimes cause visual and audio distortion in the stream. While some of these incidents have only caused temporary discomfort, there have also been cases of gamers suffering actual burns from electrical surges. In one unfortunate incident, a streamer got an electric shock from their wired earbuds after receiving an electric shock in their ears. Many controllers are also permanently damaged or completely destroyed.
This may seem excessive to some, but it's not a bad idea to take precautions when there's a lightning storm in the forecast or it's actively raging outside. According to Consumer Reports, wireless electronics like phones and laptops don't pose a risk unless they're plugged in, so it might be best to stick with handheld gaming and battery-powered devices to be on the safe side during inclement weather. Surge protectors are not capable of protecting against lightning strikes, so if lightning is expected in the area, it may be best to unplug vulnerable electronics.
