Week 1: Building Safety Starts at Home

May is Building Safety Month, and we are sharing different topics every week organized by the International Code Council. This week’s theme is “Building Safety Starts at Home.” Building safety impacts all of our daily lives whenever we enter a building, and there are steps you can take to ensure the place you call home is safe.

Fire Safety at Home

Modern homes and buildings have codes that are designed to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks, but that doesn’t mean any home is immune to fire.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and inside bedrooms.
• Test smoke alarms regularly, and replace batteries annually.
• Make an escape plan so everyone knows the quickest way out and where to meet outside. Review and practice your home escape plan with your household.
• Keep items that can burn away from your home, like dead leaves or branches outside your home or in gutters.

Learn more fire prevention and safety tips from the Coon Rapids Fire Department. 

Building Safety at Home

• Don’t overload outlets or power strips.
• Don’t use appliances with damaged cords.
• For mold prevention, watch for leaky pipes, condensation and wet spots. Fix moisture problems as soon as possible.
• Prevent pipes from freezing in winter by draining water from sprinklers and pools following manufacturer’s instruction.

Sustainability at Home

• Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks.
• Never dump anything down storm drains.
• Replace light bulbs with LEDs.
• Design your home with things that are reusable, recyclable, renewable, durable and low maintenance.
• Build a rain garden to capture roof drainage and divert it to your garden or landscaping.

Learn more about sustainability and recycling in Coon Rapids.

Find more ideas and information on Building Safety Month Week 1.