ICC Foundation: News Room

ICC Foundation eNews

Your Chance to Promote Building Safety

Building Safety Week is your chance to take advantage of a nationwide focus on safe building practices. The theme of Building Safety Week 2007 is “Building Smarter…for Disasters and Everyday Life.” Scheduled May 6-12, 2007, Building Safety Week is a perfect time to increase public awareness in a fun and educational way, and to share information about critical topics.

Every year, jurisdictions nationwide reach out to the public in new and innovative ways. Need some ideas? Here are a few to promote Building Safety Week in your area:

Issue a Building Safety Week proclamation.
Host an Open House in your department.
Prepare and distribute informational bulletins about local issues such as mold prevention and remediation, storm water, and disaster preparedness.
Host emergency preparedness seminars with a local business (such as Home Depot or Lowe’s).
Provide local TV or cable stations with public services announcements about building safety and fire prevention. (Ready-to-use announcements are available in Building Safety Week Campaign Kits.)
Host seminars and question-and-answer sessions guided by plumbing, building, electrical and property inspectors for the public and building professionals.
Offer building department tours and ride-alongs.
Put on a home inspection demonstration.
Give a building and fire safety presentation at local elementary, middle schools and high schools. Provide teachers with Building Safety Week Campaign Kit educational materials for children.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. We have a sample to get you started.
Distribute a news release to your community promoting your building department's Building Safety Week activities. See how to get started.