replacing broken glass in your window

Tornado Safety: Leave The Windows Alone!

24 July 2015

Britney Simpson

Spring and summer bring severe weather to several parts of the country.  Tornadoes are not an uncommon occurrence, and education on how to stay safe during these storms is common in tornado-prone states and regions.  However, there is still a misconception about proper tornado safety in your home that should be addressed.

Opening windows isn't going to play any part in minimizing damage to your home.  Once upon a time, it was thought that opening your windows would result in less damage, as your roof would be less likely to blow off and/or your house wouldn't explode.  People believed that the change in pressure when a tornado hit would cause an explosion if windows weren't open to relieve that pressure. 

There were variations on this belief.  Some believed that opening just the windows on a certain side of the house would be sufficient to avoid a house explosion or the loss of a roof.  The truth is, no variation of opening windows in your home is going to alleviate damage.  If a tornado is headed towards your house, nothing you can do at the last minute will prevent damage. In fact, you are putting yourself at risk by messing with your windows during a tornado warning.

Instead of running around the house opening and closing windows, seek shelter immediately and protect yourself and your family.  Head to the basement (if you have one) or a first floor interior windowless room (like a bathroom or even closet).

Stay away from windows.  During a storm you want to be as far away from windows as possible.  They won't make your house explode, but being near a glass window is incredibly dangerous. 

The real danger in a tornado is the wind.  Although the wind is unlikely to just blow your windows out, the wind can (and will) take everyday objects and turn them into missiles.  Tree limbs, debris, children's toys and anything else in the tornado's path will become flying projectiles.  Objects can blow through windows, shattering the glass, and seriously injuring a person in its path.

Even if a tornado does not touch down in your area, the damage can still be devastating.  If your home is damaged, you will likely have glass and possible structural damage.  If you stay away from windows and seek shelter appropriately you and your family should be able to get out without a scratch.  A home can be repaired or replaced, but people can't. 

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