Week 2 - (May 6-12) Preparing a Building Safety Plan

Fire, Water and Electrical Safety

Modern homes and buildings incorporate the latest building codes and are designed to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. While building safety professionals help maintain this system, there are preventative tasks that all contribute to occupant health, occupant safety and security and overall sustainability (more on this in the last section).

Listed are a few brief fire safety tips, and be sure to also download and review guides on home fire, electrical and water safety from the ICC website at ICCsafe.org.

• Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and inside every bedroom.
• Test each smoke alarm regularly. Keep batteries fresh by replacing them annually.
• Make an escape plan so everyone knows how to get out fast. Pick a meeting place outside the home where everyone will meet.
• Portable heaters need their space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away.
• Keep all items that can burn away from your home, clean leaves from your gutters and clear dead leaves and branches from shrubs and trees.

Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation

According to FEMA, one of the most cost-effective ways to safeguard our communities against disasters is to adopt and follow hazard-resistant building codes – not only are causalities reduced, but the cost of building damage is also reduced during a disaster. Beyond that, it's an individual, family and community responsibility to know which disasters you're at an increased risk for, and how to mitigate those risks by leveraging tips and building codes specific to each disaster. Review these simple, life-saving tips in the resources below, and visit Ready.gov for specific tips on dealing with earthquakes, extreme heat, floods, home fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and more.

• Develop a family action plan and share with everyone in your family, so you will know where to go if an evacuation is called.
• Review at least two exit routes from your home or neighborhood to a designated meeting place for your family.
• Create a disaster supply kit that will allow you to remain in your home after a disaster or for use after evacuating to a safer location. Be sure the necessities in your kit are fresh and restored as necessary.
• Stay tuned to radio, TV and NOAA Weather Radio for official updates and critical life saving weather information. Remember, reception is usually best if placed near a window.