May 1 marked the first day of Building Safety Month 2023, the 43rd International Code Council (ICC)rd annual campaign designed to raise awareness of building safety issues in homes, schools and other buildings around the world.
“This year’s theme, ‘It Starts With You’, invites people to consider how building safety affects almost every part of their lives, including their homes and families,” says ICC President , Michael Wich, CBO. “During Building Safety Month, we’re encouraging people to be more aware of the building codes and standards that keep us safe from harm. We hope it leads to more discussions about what we can all do to create safer living spaces , work and play”.
The weekly themes of this year’s campaign are:
- Week One: Building Safety Starts at Home (May 1-7): Highlights how building safety affects our everyday lives.
- Week Two: Construction Safety Professionals and You (May 8-14): Clarify the role of construction safety professionals in our communities.
- Week Three: Preparing Your Community (May 15-21): Focuses on how to prepare for natural disasters and other dangerous events.
- Week Four: Defending Your Community (May 22-28): Provides tips and tools for advocating for the safety of local buildings.
- Week Five: Solving Challenges Together (May 29-31) – Illustrates what different countries are doing to tackle issues such as water scarcity and cleaning buildings.
Each year, ICC, its members and communities around the world celebrate building safety through proclamations, educational events and community gatherings. To view current proclamations or submit your own proclamation to designate May as Building Safety Month, visit their website.
“Building security is something many people take for granted,” says ICC Director General Dominic Sims, CBO. “By becoming more aware of building codes and the important role they play in the built environment, we can take an active part in keeping our homes, schools, businesses and communities safe and sustainable.”
