If you plan to stay in your house, you must make it as secure as possible. Windows should become barricades – not against burglars, but rain, wind, and maybe even flying objects.
There are two parts to this procedure. First, limit the number of things that could come crashing into the side of your home. Make sure to "bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down," says Amanda Lindner at Half Hollow Hills (Long Island) Patch. Also, she writes, "keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed."
Second, fortify the windows themselves. This can be done with plywood or "hurricane shutters," for which the South Florida Sun Sentinel has put out a buyer’s guide. Hurricane-proof glass is another popular option.
