Hurricane Shutters & Fire Safety

During the Storm

• Make sure to keep at least one exterior window or door capable of being opened quickly during the storm. One way to ensure this is to get a front door to the home that has either no glass or impact-resistant glass on it. This will ensure an escape route in case of a fire during the storm.

After the Storm

• Once the storm has passed and it is safe to go outside, the first thing you must do is free up at least one shutter per room in the home. Set up an emergency escape plan with the family so they can escape the home safely before all shutters have been removed in case of a fire.

Reduce the Risk

• When your home is boarded up with hurricane shutters, try to reduce the risk of a fire. This can be done by limiting or prohibiting the use of candles or fireplaces while the home is secured.

Only When Needed

• Only put up your hurricane shutters when a storm is approaching the area. If you live in the home only seasonally, have someone put up the shutters for you, rather than leave them up while you are away. The shutters can make it difficult for fire crews to get into the home if there is a fire.