“Let’s face it, putting up and taking down metal hurricane panels is a pain,” says Lehigh Fire District Public Information Officer Patrick Comer. “It would be so much easier to just leave them up for hurricane season and many families are. And that’s what worries us,” Comer says. “If people leave their shutters up and there is a fire, they may not have a way to get out safely. At the very least we are encouraging residents to take the panels down off of bedroom windows and those still blocking any doors.”

“We know we are still in hurricane season but a home fire can happen anytime of the year,” Comer says. “Removing panels as quickly as possible after a storm passes and opening up escape routes protects all family members and firefighters who may have to enter the home to search for possible victims.” If metal panels are still in place during a fire, even if firefighters are able to gain access through a door some panels may have to be cut in order to provide a possible escape route for firefighters if necessary.