Window Protection & Hurricanes: Popular Myths Debunked

Whether you live in a coastal region, or in an area where you might be affected by strong, gale-force winds, it's always a good idea to plan ahead before tropical storm season begins.

According to NOAA, the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.  The Eastern Pacific hurricane season ends on the same date, but begins a month earlier on May 15.  Now is the time to educate yourself about hurricane preparedness - especially when it comes to window safety.

Below are some popular myths about windows & hurricanes - and why not a single one of them is accurate.

Windows + Security Screens = Safety For College and University Students

Kane Security Window Screens on Jameson Hall, Rutgers University
(Douglass Campus) - New Brunswick, NJ

Accidental falls from window openings not only endanger the lives of children (see previous post Windows & Balconies: 4 Building Tips for Child Safety & Fall Protection), young adults are also at a high risk for severe injury or death.

The fear of every college or university official is experiencing a student tragedy that could have easily been prevented by utilizing the correct precautionary measures.  Unfortunately, many higher education facilities all over the country - and the world - have had this same fear realized, such as the institutions mentioned in the articles below:

University of Michigan:
Man Falls 43 Feet From University Of Michigan Dorm Window « CBS Detroit
  
Penn State University (Apartments):
State College Police Investigating Student Fall Through Window Screen

University of Central Missouri:
News:  Warrensburg, Mo.  Update: UCM Student Who Fell From 4th Floor Dorm Window Screen is Paralyzed

To learn more about falls and how to prevent them, read through the following lists.  This information could potentially save a life on your college campus.

Facts About Falls:

• Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths wordwide.
• 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention, occur each year.

To Prevent Falls From Windows:

• Move all furniture away from windows.
• Remember that typical cloth window security screens will not prevent an accidental fall. For more information on fall protection screens, CLICK HERE.
• Ladders to dormitory roofs and roofs themselves should be considered off limits for students.
• If windows are open, use window stops to prevent the window from opening more than 4".
• Install window security screens on all second story or higher windows.

To learn more about security window screens for your college or university housing facilities, CLICK HERE.

If You Live in Any of These Places, You Might Need Hurricane Window Screens

Do you need hurricane screens or hurricane barriers?  If you live in any of the cities listed below, it might not be a bad idea to invest in some window protection before the 2013 hurricane season.

Also featured below are two infographics.  The first outlines storm targets according to hurricane strikes only from 1900-2010 and the other lists the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in the US mainland from 1851-2010.