The story about not showering during a lightning storm? Not an old wives’ tale.

A Livermore man now exemplifies this, after being shocked while getting out of his home’s shower during a fierce thunderstorm on Thursday. Christian Hussey, 30, was hospitalized following the sudden strike, which reportedly occurred when lightning struck his house while his hand was on the faucet.

Showering during lightning storms is a proven danger. In Hussey’s case, lightning probably traveled through the home’s water piping to reach his hand. Moisture is an electrical conductor, with mineral impurities in water only adding to the charge. Exposure to water at all, experts say, can turn a painful shock into a fatal one.

The American Red Cross, in its guide for lightning preparedness, warns against contact with all running household water, as well as unplugging electrical appliances, especially air conditioners (blown compressors are costly, the Red Cross reminds), if lightning storms arrive.

Stories about lightning injuries are sparse, so such preventative measures can easily pass from fact into folklore. Accidents like Hussey’s, however, show the danger of doing so. He was lucky to survive this strike.

It doesn’t happen often. Heeding lightning warnings can ensure it doesn’t happen at all.