You’ve seen the way blockbuster movies present a windstorm (whether straight-line winds, tornado, or hurricane). The lesson from Hollywood? If you don’t own an underground storage cellar, you’re going to end up flying through the air and swallowed up by a big, dark cloud. But forget the silver screen – Paul Davis of Greater Miami has seen the aftermath of real storms, right in our area. We’ve experienced the true-life heartbreaking stories…and have proudly helped families restore their property after they’ve thought there was no way to repair the damage. In the process of helping property owners recover after a windstorm, we’ve also learned about some other surprising lifesavers that can protect Floridians and your property from a windstorm. Here are 9 tips we hope can help you.

1. Your Door

Wind pressure can rip your home open at its weakest points. You may think the most likely points of damage are the windows, but doors are also vulnerable. Doors manufactured before 1994 aren’t usually rated for pressure. Consider replacing your exterior doors with newer models that are code approved for both wind pressure and debris impact. Have them installed to open outward rather than inward.

2. Wooden Furniture

A sturdy, solid piece of wooden furniture can be your best friend during a tornado or hurricane. As part of your emergency preparedness plan, think about which table, desk, or workbench you can easily move to the safest part of your house such as the bathroom or closet (make sure the furniture fits through the door). When you hide under this piece of furniture, you will have an extra shield against falling debris – including heavy pieces like roofing materials or tree branches.

3. Mulch

Gravel and rock are lovely choices for landscaping. But they can easily become deadly projectiles in high winds. They can break your windows and cause shrapnel-like damage to the human body. If you live in an area that is prone to windstorms, use materials like wood mulch instead of gravel in your flower beds. Choose to pave your driveway with concrete instead of pebbles.

4. Trimmed Hedges

Speaking of power lines, you can decrease your risk of electric shock by making sure the city is doing its job. Anytime you see vegetation and trees growing into the utility lines near your home, give the city a call to report this unsafe condition. When they cut back vegetation, this reduces the risk that you will step outside after a windstorm and find that downed power lines are energizing the puddles of rainwater around your home.

5. Mask and Goggles

You will need added protection if you absolutely must go outside to secure your belongings. Make sure you have dust masks on hand along with airtight goggles. They can also be helpful when a tornado is on the way since high winds can carry dust and other debris. Getting a splinter in your eye during a weather-related emergency makes a bad situation worse!

6. Duct Tape (Duck Tape)

Don’t laugh! This adhesive really is very useful during and after a windstorm. Securing windows with duct tape does little to improve protection from broken glass (boarding up your windows is ideal). But it can be helpful for other last minute safety adjustments since this tape is strong and water proof. You could use it to help keep smaller items in place should the roof blow off during a hurricane or tornado. For example, you might tape extra emergency-preparedness supplies and tools to the underside of heavy pieces of furniture. Duct tape can also help prevent water leaks around windows and doors from wind driven rain. 

7. A Whistle

If you get trapped under debris when structures collapse in a tornado or hurricane, blowing a whistle may save your life. The sound will travel farther than your voice with far less effort. A loud whistle can sometimes be heard through solid structures. A safety whistle will get the attention of rescuers faster and save you from losing your voice from shouting. 

8. Waterproof Heavy Duty Flashlight

You can use a bright flashlight to signal rescuers in low light situations. Sound does not carry very well during extreme windy events, especially upwind in a rainstorm. If you sustain injuries that prevent you from speaking, flashing a light can draw attention to you when you need help most (take a moment to learn SOS in Morse code if you don’t know it already). Power may be out immediately after a windstorm. A reliable emergency light source will help you get around in the dark without injury. Keep in mind that a flashlight may require backup batteries to ensure longer life. 

9. Air Purifier

An air purifier that removes both particulates and chemicals may help keep your family comfortable indoors during a severe-weather event (assuming the power stays on). Since staying inside is your safest option in any windstorm, you might as well still have access to fresh air!

10. NOAA Weather Radio

If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast and own a boat, always carry an NOAA Weather Radio to warn you of wind storms and unexpected waterspouts. Waterspouts are cousins to tornadoes that form over the water – often during seemingly calm weather. They can be dangerous to boaters and can even move inland, causing damage and injury. Boaters should be particularly vigilant in the summer, when waterspouts are the most common. If you’re on the water, get out of the way by going at a 90-degree angle from the motion of its path. It may be tempting to draw in close, but a waterspout can overturn your boat or send items flying through the air (and these can become deadly missiles!).