Ground yourself before touching metal

Discharge the static buildup on your body safely before it can arc painfully to a metal doorknob. Touching a less conductive surface first bleeds off the charge gradually rather than in a single spark.

Steps

1. Touch a wall or wooden surface first: Before reaching for a metal doorknob, press your palm flat against a painted wall, wooden door, or concrete surface. The charge dissipates slowly across the larger contact area.
2. Use a metal key or coin: Hold a key firmly and touch it to the doorknob. The spark occurs at the key's contact point instead of your nerve-rich fingertip, eliminating the pain.

Why It Works

Static discharge hurts because the charge jumps across a small gap to your fingertip, concentrating current through a tiny area packed with nerve endings. A key moves that discharge point away from your skin. Touching a wall first works because the charge bleeds off gradually through a semi-conductive surface rather than arcing all at once.

Tips

• The back of your hand is less sensitive than fingertips if you forget to use a key
• Car shocks can be avoided by touching the metal frame while stepping out, before your feet hit the ground