What Are the Dangers of Indoor Grounding?

What Are the Dangers of Indoor Grounding?

Grounding (or earthing) is the practice of connecting your body to the Earth's electrical energy, and it’s been shown to offer a wide range of health benefits—from reduced inflammation to better sleep. While going barefoot outdoors is the safest and most natural way to ground, many people turn to indoor grounding products like mats, sheets, and patches for convenience.

But are there risks?

Yes—there are three main risks, and it is important to understand them.

In this post, we’ll break down the dangers of indoor grounding, how to protect yourself, and when grounding might not be safe.

 

1. Lightning Strikes: Unplug During Thunderstorms ⚡

Even though grounding cords include safety resistors (typically 100k ohm) and grounding adaptors often have a built-in fuse, lightning is unpredictable and extremely powerful.

If lightning strikes your house or nearby power lines, it can arc over resistance and travel through the wiring system—including grounding cords.

 

What to do:

 

2. Dirty Electricity: Know What’s in Your Outlet ⚠️

Another hidden danger of indoor grounding is dirty electricity—a form of electrical noise or interference that rides along standard household wiring.

If your outlet is not properly grounded or your home has poor wiring, your grounding product may expose you to electrical pollution instead of delivering clean grounding energy.

 

Symptoms of dirty electricity exposure may include:

  • Dizziness

  • Headaches

  • Increased inflammation

  • Fatigue or brain fog

  • EMF sensitivity symptoms

This is especially concerning for individuals with pacemakers or other implanted electronics, as electrical interference can affect device performance.

 

What to do:

  • Test your outlets using a ground checker before plugging in any grounding products.

  • If symptoms arise, switch to a grounding stake that’s isolated from your home’s electrical system.

  • Consult an electrician if you’re unsure about your wiring quality.

 

3. Child Safety: Keep Cords Away from Babies and Toddlers 👶

While grounding can benefit the whole family, extra care must be taken when using grounding products around young children—especially infants and toddlers.

The main concern is cords. Loose or exposed grounding wires can pose strangulation or entanglement hazards, particularly in co-sleeping environments.

 

Why pillowcases can be risky:

  • Grounded pillowcases typically have a cord closer to your head and neck, which is more accessible to babies.

  • Sheets or mats often have the cord tucked away at the edge of the bed, making them safer by comparison.

 

What to do:

  • Avoid grounding pillowcases if you’re co-sleeping with a baby or toddler.

  • Choose grounding sheets or mats with cords that can be secured and hidden.

  • Routinely inspect cords for wear, tear, or loose placement.

 

Final Thoughts: Indoor Grounding Is Powerful—But Be Smart About It

Indoor grounding products can be a great way to stay connected to the Earth’s energy, especially when going outside isn’t practical. But like any electrical product, they come with risks you should be aware of:

With a little care and awareness, you can enjoy the benefits of grounding without unnecessary danger.

 

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