Safety Sunday: Building Safety Month; Energy & Green Building

May is quiet an interesting month – one of the most notable items is it’s the only month in the year where the first lands on a day not shared by any other month & the same also applies to the last day. So for example, in 2012 no other month starts on a Tuesday or ends on a Thursday. May is also one of the “busiest” cause months especially when it comes to safety.

One of those causes is Building Safety which is being promoted by the ICC (International Code Council – Code Writing & Building Officials). Last year they got a Presidential Proclamation but decided this year they really needed to bring out the big guns, so they got Mike “Make it Right” Holmes to help get the message out.

As an FYI – yes they also got a Presidential Proclamation for this year also: HERE & they also encourage anyone wishing to show their support to fill out a quick web form: HERE (Just your name & location).

A Quick Overview:

This month they started it off with a kickoff which runs through today to help spread the word. They then break the remainder of the month up to raise awareness of 4 different topics:

• Week 1: May 7^th – 13^th is Energy & Green Building
• Week 2: May 14^th – 20^th is Disaster Safety & Mitigation
• Week 3: May 21^st – 27^th is Fire Safety & Awareness
• Week 4: May 28^th – 31^st is Backyard Safety

An inauspicious start:

Below is a copy of their weekly “Top Ten” tip sheet which I find surprising as not one item really deals with “Building Safety” or raising awareness (and in some cases could even be deemed factually challenged).

I can only guess on why they didn’t promote a few of their “tips” from their Green Brochure like:

Good air quality benefits everyone, especially people with allergies and children with asthma.

• Incorporate whole-house ventilation and ceiling fans. (Don’t forget to air-seal the penetrations)
• Use eco-friendly adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and carpeting that emit low levels of volatile organic compounds.
• Install entryway dirt-capturing systems.
• Use good quality air filters and change them regularly.
• Clean your house with biodegradable, environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Or promote maybe something from their “Safety Tips from Building Inspectors” like this one:

Or maybe qualified them like they do on this week’s main page:

Green homes are also healthier homes, reducing mold, mildew and other allergens that contribute to asthma and other significant health issues. Below are tips for keeping your home dry and mold-free:

• Keep it dry: install a drain pan under the water heater; place dehumidifiers in basements and other damp areas; position downspouts away from the house; repair any water damage.
• Keep it clean: use track-off mats at all doorways; clean up dust to eliminate contaminants such as lead dust and allergens.
• Keep it ventilated: install or replace exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens (make sure they vent to the outside).
• Keep it contaminant-free: use wire shelving that doesn’t collect dust; have your home tested for radon and lead-based paint.

One important tip I would like to add is – it doesn’t matter how green or “eco-friendly” a product is if you use it incorrectly. Not only will the product probably not last like it is supposed to but may make the situation and problems you are trying to avoid worse, so please read the directions and just remember if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

While I got to say that it appears that they get off on the wrong foot, the following three weeks have some great tips which we hope you will come back to check out.