Building Safety Month - Prepare Your Community

Building safety codes are one of the most efficient ways to safeguard communities against disasters, such as flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires. As part of our "Building Safety is Local" theme, this week we're highlighting "Building Safety – Prepare Your Community" which focuses on how to protect your home and community from disaster. 

Join us on Monday, May 15, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, in the Auditorium at the Dr. A. J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Dr, Woodbridge VA 22192. Here we'll share important building and fire safety tips, home maintenance know-how, and help communities know how to successfully prepare for disaster and protect them from future unforeseen incidents.

Having an evacuation and communication plan in place and an emergency supply kit on hand can help protect you and your loved ones. Review these simple, life-saving tips and visit Ready.gov for specific tips on dealing with earthquakes, extreme heat, floods, home fires, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires and more.

Here are a few things you should know:

• Educate your community. Visit www.buildingsafetymonth.org for printed resources and materials.
• Develop a family action plan and share with everyone in your family, so you will know where to go if an evacuation is called.
• Create a disaster supply kit that will allow you to remain in your home after a disaster or for use after evacuating to a safer location. Be sure the necessities in your kit are fresh and restored as necessary.
• Stay tuned to radio, TV and NOAA Weather Radio for official updates and critical lifesaving weather information. Remember, reception is usually best if placed near a window.
• Review at least two exit routes from your home or neighborhood to a designated meeting place for your family.
• Know your neighbors. Find out if your neighbors will need extra help in an emergency. The elderly, disabled, and small children may need a helping hand.

Do you have a question for a building safety professional? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter and use #BuildingSafety365 to help spread the word. To find out about all the Building Safety Month events taking place in May visit the Events Calendar. For more information, please call Development Services at (703) 792-6930 or [email protected].