Building Safety Month Week Four: Engaging Your Community

As we step into the fourth week of Building Safety Month, let's remember the strength of our collective efforts in promoting building safety. From our homes to our workplaces, safety is a shared responsibility. Together, we can ensure the well-being of our loved ones and neighbors, and make a significant impact on our community's safety.

We can all help by sharing specific factual information and resources on building safety through social media. This could include infographics on fire safety, guides on earthquake preparedness, or videos on the importance of building inspections. We can also contact local newspapers, radio stations, and TV networks to encourage coverage of building safety stories. Additionally, we can voice our concerns or share building safety information with public officials, city managers, or mayors.

Advocacy is a powerful tool for effecting change and promoting the adoption of modern building codes and standards. Here are five steps you can take to advocate for building safety in your community:

1. Identify the building safety codes adopted in your area using resources like the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) website.
2. Determine if your community has up-to-date building codes by checking the Code Council's code adoption map.
3. Engage with public officials to advocate for changes in building codes, focusing on the importance of safety. This could involve writing letters or emails, attending public meetings, or scheduling one-on-one discussions with officials.
4. Prepare to take action based on whether building codes are adopted at the state or local level.
5. Advocate for change by highlighting the benefits of adopting and enforcing modern building codes. These codes can provide protection against disasters like structural collapse, fires, hurricanes, and floods, ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.

By speaking up and taking action, we can contribute to building safer, more resilient communities. Let's harness the power of advocacy during Week Four of Building Safety Month to bring about positive change. Together, we can ensure that the places where we live, work, and play are safe for everyone, instilling a sense of hope and security in our community.