Fire Safety and Awareness News You Can Use

Building Safety Month 2010

WASHINGTON, May 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During May, which is Building Safety Month 2010, the International Code Council Foundation is providing weekly tips and links to additional resources consumers can use to save money and prevent disasters. May 16 -22 is Fire Safety and Awareness Week.

"The International Code Council is committed to fire safety as part of its overall mission to build a safer and more sustainable world," said Council CEO Rick Weiland. "Countless lives have been saved and property damage reduced by effective fire prevention codes that promote fire-resistant materials as well as the installation of warning and mitigation tools such as smoke detectors and fire sprinklers.. Our building safety codes require these features, as well as other life safety aspects such as regulating bedroom window size to provide escape and access during a fire."

Each year, fires take lives and burn numerous structures resulting in mounting costs that have an enormous impact on families, communities and businesses. Fires also have devastating impacts on the environment and wildlife. Below is a list of safety precaution measures you can take to protect your home and workplace:

• More than half (55%) of home fires caused by candles start because the candle is too close to combustible materials. If you burn candles, ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down.
• Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside each sleeping room/bedroom, outside of sleeping rooms/bedrooms and on each level of your house. Test your smoke alarms each month and change the batteries at least once a year
• Purchase an ABC type extinguisher for putting out all types of fires. Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage and workshop to put out small fires. If there is a large fire, get out immediately and call 911 or your local emergency number.
• When lighting a gas fireplace or gas space heater, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.

For More Fire Safety Tips Visit:

Building Safety Month

BASF - The Chemical Company

International Code Council

International Code Council Foundation

National Fire Protection Association

U.S. Fire Administration

First observed in 1980 as Building Safety Week, Building Safety Month is sponsored BASF and presented by the International Code Council Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to promote public awareness of ideas‚ methods and technologies that encourage the construction of safe, durable and sustainable buildings and homes, reducing the devastating effects of building damages due to natural disasters and other tragedies.

SOURCE International Code Council Foundation