disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises sheltering in a bathtub during a hurricane for protection from debris (crushing and drowning risk)

ID: disaster/hurricane-bathtub-debris-myth

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
72%Fix Rate
82%Confidence
1Evidence
2023-09-20First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
hurricane-season-2023 active — — —

Root Cause

Bathtubs offer no structural protection against flying debris or building collapse; they can trap water and cause drowning if the house floods, and the porcelain can shatter.

generic

中文

浴缸无法提供结构保护以抵御飞溅碎片或建筑物倒塌；如果房屋进水，浴缸可能积水导致溺水，且陶瓷可能碎裂。

Official Documentation

https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-shelter

Workarounds

  1. 88% success Shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and external walls. Use a reinforced closet or hallway. Run `python -c "import requests; print(requests.get('https://hurricane-shelter.example.com/api/v1/safe-zones?zip=33101').json())"` to check local shelter recommendations. 
    Shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and external walls. Use a reinforced closet or hallway. Run `python -c "import requests; print(requests.get('https://hurricane-shelter.example.com/api/v1/safe-zones?zip=33101').json())"` to check local shelter recommendations.
  2. 65% success If no interior room, use a small bathroom with a bathtub but lie flat in the tub with a mattress over you only if the structure is reinforced concrete; otherwise, avoid entirely. Verify building code: `grep -i 'wind load' /etc/hurricane_building_codes.json`. 
    If no interior room, use a small bathroom with a bathtub but lie flat in the tub with a mattress over you only if the structure is reinforced concrete; otherwise, avoid entirely. Verify building code: `grep -i 'wind load' /etc/hurricane_building_codes.json`.

中文步骤

  1. Shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and external walls. Use a reinforced closet or hallway. Run `python -c "import requests; print(requests.get('https://hurricane-shelter.example.com/api/v1/safe-zones?zip=33101').json())"` to check local shelter recommendations.
  2. If no interior room, use a small bathroom with a bathtub but lie flat in the tub with a mattress over you only if the structure is reinforced concrete; otherwise, avoid entirely. Verify building code: `grep -i 'wind load' /etc/hurricane_building_codes.json`.

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 92% fail

    Mattress can become waterlogged and heavy, increasing crushing risk; does not prevent drowning

  2. 96% fail

    Adds weight that can cause floor collapse; water can overflow and drown occupant

  3. 99% fail

    Bathtubs are not buoyant and can sink or tip over; no steering or protection