Today is the second day of Building Safety Week.  Here are just some of the ways that building codes protect you and your family:

5. Scald protection – Building safety codes require that showers be equipped with anti-scald valves to prevent injury.
 
4. Ground fault interrupters (GFI) – Building safety codes require GFIs in kitchen, bath and outdoor outlets. They turn off the power to the outlet before someone can be harmed by an electrical short in the circuit.
 
3. Emergency escape and rescue openings – Building safety codes require all basements and bedrooms to have at least one emergency escape and rescue opening to the outside.

2. Stair rails – Building safety codes address the size and space of stair rails to prevent children from or falling through stair railings (guards) or getting their heads stuck. They also protect the general population by regulating the height of stair guards.
 
1. Smoke detectors – Building safety codes require smoke detectors outside of each bedroom and on each story of a home, including basements, to warn occupants of smoke and fire.

Check out the BDS Blog tomorrow for tips on how building codes will make your summer safer!

Alisa Cour
Public Information Manager