Hurricane season can be a stressful time. For a lot of people, preparing for the impact of a hurricane is time-consuming and confusing. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there to add to the lack of certainty. To help you know what to do to prepare, Max Guard put together this list of Hurricane myths and preparedness.

Myth 1: Putting Tape On The Window

Many people think that putting some variation of a big X in tape over their windows will protect them from blowing in or shattering. However, putting tape over the window is dangerous and does more harm than good. The tape does nothing to protect the window from breaking, and if the window does break, the shards are bigger and deadlier. Additionally, products marketed as hurricane tint or film are ineffective and have not been approved for residential use in Florida. The best way to protect your home from damaging hurricane wind and debris is with vinyl or aluminum impact windows. The benefits of these windows go beyond protection. Professional impact-resistant windows are energy efficient, and you may be entitled tax and insurance breaks. They are more convenient than traditional shutters or plywood because they don’t have to put up or taken down when there is a storm.

Myth 2: Leaning Against Doors Can Prevent Them From Blowing In

A variation of this myth says you should brace against windows to keep it from blowing in, too. This is a bad idea. You should stay away from windows and doors during a hurricane. Hurricane winds from Hurricane Andrew were strong enough to send plywood through trees – your door and your body are no match, no matter how strong you are. This is even more true for windows except they add shattered glass into the mix. The only way to ensure that your home is protected is with impact resistant entry doors, sliding glass, or French doors. These heavy-duty doors will keep the wind and rain from entering your home.

Myth 3: Storing Valuables In The Dishwasher

According to Snopes, this idea was circulated on Facebook before Hurricane Irma in 2017. The logic here is that since dishwashers are good at keeping water from leaking out when it’s running, it must be good at keeping water out in a flood. While that logic is easy to follow, it doesn’t actually work that way in practice. Thinking that your valuables will be safe in the dishwasher will cause you to ineffectively plan and store your documents. The best thing to do is to digitize your important documents and put them on remote storage. That way, you’ll have a back up if anything should happen. Flash drives work well too since they’ve been known to make it through washing machines.

Myth 4: Hotels And Shelters Are Required To Take Pets

It is often repeated that hotels and evacuation shelters must take pets during a hurricane. While it might be true that some of them are open to animals, it is not required by law, at least not in Florida. Therefore, it is important to have an evacuation plan for your pets. Never leave your pets behind during an evacuation. Remember that if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them either. You may need to board your pets at a special shelter, with a veterinarian, or with an out of town resident.

Myth 5: It’s Not Going To Happen Here

Storms are scary. Sometimes people try to reassure themselves that it won’t be so bad or it can’t happen to them, so there’s no need to evacuate. Hurricanes are unpredictable. Ideas like these can lull homeowners into a false sense of security. If you’re not sure whether or not to evacuate, you’re not alone. Experts say we might have an evacuation problem and that evacuations are more important for water than wind. Whether or not you decide to stay or go, you should make sure your home is protected before leaving.

Be Ready For The Next Storm With Max Guard

Here in Florida, the next storm is not a matter of if but when. We offer a complete line of hurricane impact windows and impact resistant doors to protect your home year-round. Our professionals are here to help you when you’re looking to install hurricane protection. To learn more and receive a free quote, contact us today and call at (561) 926-9727.