Apartment window protection

DianaC - March 9, 2022

AdviceGear

Hi Preppers, We live on the 7th floor of a pre-war apartment in NYC. My question: Is there a way for us to put protection on our windows on the interior of our apartment in the event of a hurricane (or civil unrest or…)?  Even better, if these shutters are not hideous and fast and easy to deploy? Any ideas? Has anyone put up the bolts for hurricane fabric? Thank you!

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Yes clear Self Adhesive security laminating film , available from all good DIY chains, UV stable, doesnt discolour. When applied if something impacts the glass even violent the glass breaks but is held in place.

 

You’ll have to clear that with your apartment manager, but if you offer to pay for it, they might welcome the nice upgrade to their unit. There’s an article here on security film, (https://theprepared.com/gear/reviews/window-security-film-glass/) maybe there’s one that could easily be removed when your lease is up. Or if it’s clear and quality enough, the landlord doesn’t need to know that it’s there. 

Don’t place duct tape or normal tape on your windows. You may think that it strengthen the windows to hold it together if it cracks during a hurricane but what it actually does is breaks the window into larger pieces that become more dangerous projectiles than if you didn’t tape. 

An easy and discrete thing you can do is slide over a bookcase or dresser in front of the window when you sense danger. The added bulk will prevent broken glass from being shot towards the people inside if it breaks.