Myths equal death. Most myths are so outrageous that anybody with a hint of common sense would not believe them. But then there are those other myths that are so convincing Isaac Newton himself would have believed them. However some of those myths can be busted and lack the scientific support to be proven a fact and not a myth. The myth that I will be discussing has to do with tornado safety. That is, a window should be left open during a tornado to equalize pressure and prevent the house from imploding. This myth sounds scientific enough with those big words like equalize and pressure and imploding but take a closer look.
Although many people believe that a window should be left open during a tornado to reverse the pressure of the incoming winds and this has been tested many times. The idea that a window should be left open has been tested and has led scientists to disastrous results. This is because when a window is opened the ravenous wind from the tornado blitzes into the house funneling in high air pressure and causing the roof to be lifted off of the house sometimes taking the house with it. As a result the walls are left without a support and they then begin to collapse. Thus creating the appearance of an explosion or implosion when really the house has just lost its frame. When experts were questioned about these events many
stated that opening a window can be a costly mistake. They also
stated that when one occupies his or her self with the task of opening a
window they are just putting the people in the house at further risk buy
consuming valuable time that they could be using to find a safe place to
hide. One expert argued that a single thin sheet of glass will probably not make a difference whether closed or open. He quickly came to realize that he was wrong and that window could be the difference between life and death. And that who ever started this myth was probably doing so to give some people who had never been through a tornado some hope. And when he realized that this is false he could not wait to tell people that what they were currently doing was not safe or reasonable. He proved this myth false.
There are many websites available to help you with any questions you may have about this subject and other tornado safety tips and myths. Such as where the safest place to go during a tornado is or if you are not near shelter what should you do. One of these websites is Orato Speak form Experience: Myths about Tornados and Twisters. This website provides information about what is true like what you should do in the event of a tornado and what you should not do during a tornado.
What should you do . . .
There are many websites available to help you with any questions you may have about this subject and other tornado safety tips and myths. Such as where the safest place to go during a tornado is or if you are not near shelter what should you do. One of these websites is Orato Speak form Experience: Myths about Tornados and Twisters. This website provides information about what is true like what you should do in the event of a tornado and what you should not do during a tornado.
What should you do . . .
Many people believe that they know what to do during a tornado. But did you know that you should never open a window during a tornado. Also people believe that during a tornado shelter should be taken in the southwest corner of the basement. This is also false because tornado's are unpredictable so it could change its direction at any time making the southwest corner vulnerable. More dos and dont's during a tornado can be found at Tornado Project: Myths and Misconceptions. This has been another myth busted and there are many more to come.
6 comments:
I had never heard of such a thing before reading this. It would make sense that cracking a window would release pressure, just because many people become ignorant when dealing with natural disasters. Where did this myth even begin? It's a tornado, its going to take down your house no matter how much you attempt to "relieve pressure". This was really interesting, good job!
I had heard of this before, and I always thought that you should open a window! that's good to know! Building on what Ellie said, I want to know where this myth began. It sould be very intersting to find out. Good job!
I had never heard of this either, but I liked reading about this. You were right when you said that it only takes a little bit of common sense to prove some myths true or false. Like Ellie said, opening a window isn't really going to do much for you except blow more trees and dangerous stuff in your house. I am alos curious about how this myth started, and I also wonder, is there any way to stabilize your house during a tornado? We've proven that opening a window doesn't help any, but can anything else help?
I have always been horrified of tornados so I'm glad to know what I definately should not do. Those websites that were posted with tips on what to do during tornados should be helpful and I will definatly be having a look at them. Good Job!
Thanks for the great comments. And as for your question the whereabouts of the creation of this myth. I have looked into it and no single person is credited with starting this myth and researchers are currently unaware of the the location or even when this myth started.
Tschuss.
this makes sense because you wouldn't want to open an airplane window to equalize pressure. Also stuff would fly into the house which could be unsafe.
Post a Comment