There are things you should do and thre are others you shouldn’t do in times of hurricanes, because they are myths, dangerous or a waste of time.
For instance:
- Don’t tape windows. Tape does almost no good – and it’s a mess to remove.
- Don’t open a window away from the wind direction. Any opening can allow wind inside the home, and the wind can shift.
- Don’t go near windows or glass patio doors during a storm.
- Don’t empty an in-ground pool. The water table can rise from the rain and force the pool up, perhaps out of the ground.
- Don’t use candles for light if the power goes off. The danger of fire is too great.
- Don’t use a charcoal or gas grill to cook indoors.
- Don’t approach animals wandering after the storm. Even docile pets can be unnerved by a storm and could bite.
- Don’t connect a generator directly to your home’s electric system. It can electrify lines outside and endanger neighbors and utility workers.
- Don’t drive through moving water over a road. Even six inches of flowing water can cause a car to float.
- If returning after an evacuation, don’t stay in the house if you smell gas. Open windows and leave.
- Don’t let your pets out after the storm without a leash. With landmarks gone, they can get lost and perhaps encounter displaced wild animals.
- Don’t sightsee in damaged neighborhoods.
- Don’t stay after an evacuation is ordered. Rescue workers will not try to reach you at the height of the storm.
- Don’t bring guns, alcohol or pets to a public shelter.
- Don’t touch metal fences after a storm. They could be touching downed power lines.