The theme for Building Safety Month 2023 is “It Starts with YOU!” according to the International Code Council (ICC). Everyone can benefit from learning about the importance of building codes, best practices, and how they can ensure safety and even save lives. With natural disasters only increasing around the world, having modern building codes in place “keeps our homes and communities strong and resilient,” says the ICC.
Building Safety Month is broken down into five weeks of educational content, with specific tips and tools to take back to your building or community. This year, the weekly themes are:
- Week 1 (May 1–7): Building Safety Starts at Home
- Week 2 (May 8–14): Building Safety Professionals and You
- Week 3 (May 15–21): Prepare Your Community
- Week 4 (May 22–28): Advocate for Your Community
- Week 5 (May 29–31): Solving Challenges Together
The ICC stresses the importance of three aspects of building safety: personal, local, and global.
Why Does Building Safety Month Matter?
The evolution of building codes has improved building safety for us all. When looking at natural disasters that occur in underdeveloped countries, where building codes may not be properly utilized, you see much more destruction and death. Building codes saves lives. And this goes well beyond natural disasters: By reducing the chances of fire, structure collapse, and electrocution, people remain safer in their homes.
Building Safety Month, Week by Week
Throughout May, the ICC’s international campaign will focus on specific topics each week. Explore all the highlighted themes to ensure the safety and sustainability of your community.
Building Safety Starts at Home
Week 1 of Building Safety Month covers how building safety impacts our everyday life as family members, friends, and individuals at home. Highlights include fire safety tips, home maintenance best practices, and sustainable, greener living.
Building Safety Professionals and You
Week 2 introduces the important role that building safety professionals play in keeping our homes, schools, and businesses safe. From building officials to fire marshals and plumbing inspectors, discussions center on what makes a good building safety professional and recognizing their contributions. These professionals are community-oriented and dedicated to making the world a safer place.
Prepare Your Community
Natural disasters are on the rise around the world—in frequency and severity. Week 3 of Building Safety Month focuses on how to protect your home and your community from disaster. Building codes help to protect us against flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfire events. Learn how to plan to help limit damage to buildings in your community.
Advocate for Your Community
Week 4 provides the tips and tools needed to help advocate for building safety in your community. With many ways to get involved, from social media to city council meetings, there are many ways to get involved. Take an active role in making sure the places where we live, work and play are safe.
Solving Challenges Together
We don't live in a bubble, week 5 elevates Building Safety Month to a global scale, addressing some of the issues that we face as a global community—including extreme weather events and water scarcity. Tying it all together, building safety codes need to be modernized worldwide and strive for sustainable standards.
Bottom Line
Brook Furniture Rental knows that when we each do our part, together we can improve community sustainability and resilience and promote safer practices. If you are displaced from your home due to a disaster, Brook is here to supply you with the furniture you need to quickly feel at home in temporary housing. Plus, by renting furniture you’re helping us maintain green practices and keep furniture waste out of landfills.
