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Hey there, friend! It’s me, your neighborhood shell-bration specialist, Windy the Turtle, here to chat about something a little less festive but super important: hurricanes. Yep, those blustery, soggy chaos-makers. While our hurricane windows and doors in West Palm Beach can certainly help, it’s not just the storm itself you’ve got to prepare for.

It’s your own household items staging a surprise rebellion! Can you believe it? The things you trust every day—patio furniture, trash cans, even firewood—could turn on you faster than a turtle on roller skates. But don’t worry! I’m here to help you protect your home by spotting the troublemakers and showing them who’s boss.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

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5 Common Household Items That Can Damage Your Property During a Hurricane

But, before starting, are you wondering who this new, good-looking, funny and cute turtle is?

Ta-da, it's me, Windy the Turtle! I'm the brand new, shiny, Palm Beach Hurricane Windows mascot. But I'm much more than a mascot! I'm your go-to guide on matters regarding weather, hurricane protection, and insurance tips.  

No one knows more about sturdiness than us turtles, after all.

And did you know that your own household items can prose a considerable risk for your home during hurricanes? I know, betrayed by the ones we love most! But it’s true, certain items can be especially harmful, so they ask for some extra-precautions. Let me tell you more about them!

1. Outdoor Furniture

Not many people are aware of this, but us turtles loove soaking in the sun. There’s simply something so pleasant about feeling the sun shine bright over your shell! That’s why we all know very well the attractiveness of outdoor furniture, like patio chairs and comfortable cushions.  

But while your furniture may look innocent now, add a little hurricane gusto, and suddenly, they’re auditioning for a role in Flying Furniture: The Sequel. Lightweight items can dangerous projectiles in the forceful winds of a hurricane faster than you can say, “Not my new cushions!”

If you don’t have impact windows, this could result in dangerous broken glass and increase the chances of your roof flying off. And even heavy wooden or metal furniture isn’t safe—it can shift, and block exits or become debris itself. The solution? Tie them down, store them indoors, or lock them in a shed.  

Trust me, you don’t want your deck chairs taking a break for it!

2. Trash Cans and Recycling Bins

Ah, the humble trash can. It holds your waste, and then, with a bit of wind, it becomes a runaway wrecking ball. Hurricane winds easily pick up these objects and can travel great distances before smashing into windows, damaging siding or fences, or even getting stuck in gutters or downspouts.

And if you live close to the beach, your garbage may even end up in the ocean, harming innocent and cute turtles like me. You don’t want that to happen, do you? To avoid these bin shenanigans, bring them inside or secure them tightly before the storm hits. A trash can that doesn’t become a flying saucer? Very chic.

3. Garden Tools and Equipment

Garden tools like hoses, rakes, shovels are the unsung heroes of lawn care—or that’s what I heard, at least. (Turtles don’t have fingers, you see). Nevertheless, when a hurricane rolls through, your friendly garden equipment can easily turn into DIY disaster projectiles taken straight out of a horror movie.

These items tend to be heavy enough to seriously harm your windows or other home structures if thrown against them, so keep them snug in your garage or shed before the winds start picking up.

You don’t want to see what happens when a lawnmower goes rogue! (Spoiler: It’s not pretty.)

4. Portable Air Conditioners

Portable AC units might keep you cool, but if left unsecured, they can get way too chill with hurricane-force winds. These bad boys can break windows, damage siding, and, worst of all, pose electrical fire risks if their connections get compromised.

What to do? Remove them from windows and tuck them away safely. Your AC unit will thank you—and so will your insurance company.

5. Firewood and Construction Materials

Stacked firewood and leftover construction supplies can become a source of harm, too. These objects have the potential to turn into missiles and harm the house or nearby buildings.

If that doesn’t sound very fun to you, store these items in a secure, enclosed area to keep them grounded. No one wants their firewood flying through a window or blocking drainage systems, which may worsen flooding issues. Well, I could enjoy the extra swimming space, though...

But I’m guessing it’s not something you want in your home!

Protect Your Home with Hurricane Windows and Doors in West Palm Beach

Now that we’ve called out these household troublemakers, it’s time for the ultimate line of defense: hurricane windows and doors. At Palm Beach Hurricane Windows, our impact-resistant windows and doors are designed to keep your home safe from wind, rain, and the occasional wayward trash can.

So, whether you’re battling gale-force gusts or just preparing for the worst, I’ve got your back—because nobody knows strength and protection like a turtle in a shell. 🐢💪

Want to learn more? Give us a shout! Let’s get your home storm-ready together.