WILDWOOD, Fla – Sumter County Fire and EMS released a statement October 17 urging citizens to remove window coverings set up for Hurricane Irma.
Although hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, citizens are urged to remove storm preparations such as window coverings following a storm.
While emergency services stress the importance of having a Hurricane Kit and Disaster Plan, they remind citizens that leaving window coverings up after the storm has passed may impede rescue efforts in case of emergency.
The coverings serve to protect citizens from flying glass and debris during a storm should the window break, but they create a fire hazard if left up.
Sumter County Fire and EMS reminds citizens they should always have two exits from a room available to them in case of fire.The first of these is usually the
The first of these is usually the door but should access to the door be blocked by falling debris or fire, the window should serve as a second escape route.If storm shutters or plywood are left in place, citizens in the midst of a fire emergency may not be able to reach safety.
If storm shutters or plywood are left in place, citizens in the midst of a fire emergency may not be able to reach safety.
Chief Leland Greek, therefore, urges all Sumter County residents to remove wooden and other temporary covers from windows and store them safely for the next storm.
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