Congressman Peter Welch of Vermont recognized the 38th annual Building Safety Month in the U.S. House of Representatives. He joins 35 U.S. governors and 337 local jurisdictions, International Code Council chapters and associations in proclaiming the importance of building safety, building codes and the role of code officials. Building Safety Month is a public awareness campaign presented by the Code Council and its 64,000 members worldwide each May.

“Building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers and others in the construction industry work year-round to ensure the safe construction and maintenance of buildings. It is through their efforts that our nation continues to address critical safety issues in the built environment that affect our citizens in both everyday life and in times of natural disaster,” said Congressman Welch.

Week 3 of the international campaign, May 13-19, focuses on “Protecting Communities from Disasters.” Last year’s hurricane season and rampant wildfires highlight the necessity of focusing on building safety and building codes to protect our homes and communities. Disaster mitigation efforts such as building code adoption and enforcement is one strategy jurisdictions can take to protect a community against the effects of natural hazards. Mitigation increases occupant health and safety during a disaster, protects the local tax base, ensures continuity of essential services, and supports more rapid recovery from disasters.

The Code Council’s International Wildland-Urban Interface Code is a supplement to the building and fire code that provides additional safety in areas determined to be highly susceptible to wildland fires.

Visit www.iccsafe.org.