Posted On: August 26, 2009, 8:27 am CDT

Posted By: ShutterLady

Mr. Smith:

I guess I need to take the time to google hurricane shutter tragedies. I'm not taking the time to read the articles. Yes, I can see the issue with there being a fire while the shutters are deployed. But my argument is that any product that provides "real" protection should not be able to be simply pushed out from the inside. It just seems like common sense. I can't imagine how you are selling this product at all.

Even properly installed home-made wood shutters should be fastened to the point where you should not be able to push your way out.

And, have you ever thought of simply removing the shutters or opening them? What a concept! Who leaves them up or closed 24/7? I think it would be common sense for a customer to remove them.

How many people have lost their lives because of a fire "during" a hurricane event? It all goes back to common sense and education. All of our customers are advised to remove the shutter, open them, etc after the storm passes to allow an exit.

I have seen your product at a home show when I acted as an interested customer and have been personally LIED to by your representatives...who stated the product was Miami-Dade and Florida Building approved. When I asked them to show me the certificates and was shown a book of testing data, the individual had no response when I commented that I see no Miami-Dade or Florida documents. So, either they do not know or they are purposefully lying.

Thankfully, consumers are getting smarter and hopefully consumers will see the TRUTH.

I agree your product may be better than "nothing"...but that's the best protection they are going to get. If there's absolutely no other alternative, then just velcro sign boards to your windows....that should work! During preparations for Katrina, I saw someone nailed a "floor rug" over their window. Again, better than nothing.