May is Building Safety Month

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

Building Safety Month is an initiative of the International Code Council. Building Safety Month-is an opportunity to educate insurance and commercial property professionals as well as the general public, on "what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable, and energy efficient homes and buildings," according the ICC website. 

The theme for 2020 is Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World. Which highlights managing the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes, and helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures.

They state:

"All communities need building codes to protect their citizens from disasters like fires, weather-related events and structural collapse. Building codes are society's best way of protecting homes, offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, stores and entertainment venues. Code officials work day in and day out to keep the public safe."

Important Tips From The ICC

Disaster Safety & Mitigation

•  If you live in a high wind or hurricane prone area and do not have tested and code-approved shutters for protection from windborne debris, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows by mounting exterior grade plywood. Visit www.flash.org for more info.
•  Flooded roads could have a significant damage hidden by floodwaters. Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It only take 6 inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of moving water to move an SUV-sized vehicle. Want more info visit www.iccsafe.org

Here are a few tips to follow from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes – (FLASH®) when preparing your family for any emergency.

• Develop a family disaster plan that includes a list of food and water supplies needed for each member of your family and supplies for your pets. Make copies of important documents like insurance policies, the deed to your home, and other personal papers, important phone numbers and a home inventory. Create a checklist of important things to do before, during and after a disaster.
• Review your evacuation route and emergency shelter locations with your family. Options for evacuation would include staying with friends and relatives, seeking commercial lodging, or staying in a mass care facility operated by disaster relief groups in conjunction with local authorities.
• Taking shelter is critical in times of disaster. Sheltering in place is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment, or other location where you are when disaster strikes.

The general public may not be aware how codes and code officials improve and protect the places where we live, learn, work, worship and play, so this type of "monthly" awareness is important.