Now that you know that only tested and approved shutter systems or windows made with impact-resistant glass should be used as window protection, let’s debunk another common myth.
MYTH: Crack or open windows to allow wind pressure inside the house to equal pressure outside and avoid damage.
REALITY: Opening windows to relieve pressure is a myth that has perpetuated for some time because of the way buildings appear to fail from high winds. Today, experts and wind scientists agree that the most important thing to do in a windstorm is to keep all windows and doors closed to prevent wind from entering and causing a syndrome called internal pressurization. For optimal protection, windows, doors, and garage doors should be closed during a storm and covered with an approved hurricane shutter system or be constructed of impact-resistant and pressure-resistant materials.
Credit: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. (FLASH)
