For the first week of Building Safety Month, the ICC recognized Disaster Preparedness as the topic of focus. Snowstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and fires have all seen a recent uptick in frequency and severity across the globe. It’s important to be proactive in preparing for these events.
At home, at the workplace and everywhere in between – the health and safety of the occupants of any building should always be a top priority.
Here are a few tips that the International Code Council lists in their Building Safety Month publication.
Build to the Latest Codes
Building codes are updated regularly, so it’s important to build according to the most modern and up-to-date version. Keeping your occupancies up to code is the safest and easiest way to ensure you’ve done your due diligence in keeping your employees, residents and/or visitors safe.
Additionally, it’s imperative that building departments across the country are sufficiently staffed with building safety professionals. Professionals that should be available throughout the building and disaster planning processes should include plan reviewers and inspectors for example. These professionals should be regularly trained and up to date with the advancements in different building safety codes. The ICC reports that “good code enforcement decreases loss following disasters by up to 25 percent.”
Prepare Your Family
Emergency and disaster planning is just as important at home as it is at the workplace. When beginning to look into emergency planning at the home, consider using these ICCSafe tips and links:
- Determine your risk.
- Consider incorporating a safe room into your next home build/renovation project.
- Develop a family disaster plan.
- Review your evacuation route and emergency shelter locations with your family.
- Determine the best shelters for different potential disasters at your home.
- Review your plan regularly.
- Visit FEMA’s Preparathon.
Insure your Home
The emotional and and financial impact of natural disasters can be overwhelming. The ICC promotes that “several lines of insurance are available to cover financial damage from various hazards.” Check out FLASH’s Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters.
PLAN. PROTECT. SAVE LIVES.
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