May is Building Safety Month, Electrical Safety Month and Deck Safety Month. The Wake Forest Inspections Department is launching these observances with a Building, Electrical & Deck Safety Month Kick-Off on Saturday, April 29. The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Town & Country Hardware, 910 Gateway Commons Circle.
The kick-off event will include free hot dogs (while they last), games and prizes. Inspections staff will also be on hand throughout the occasion to answer questions about building, electrical and deck safety and the building permit process.
Area residents are invited to come out and learn about the services the department offers, including Express Residential Plan Review, and talk one-on-one with town inspectors about building safety, codes, and inspections as they pertain to common residential projects, such as decks, kitchen and bath remodels, and screened porches.
In addition to the April 29 kick-off, the Inspections Department will help raise awareness of building, electrical and deck safety in Wake Forest by participating in the following events and activities in May:
- May 6 – Meet in the Street, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; South White Street
- May 12 – Friday Night on White, 6-9 p.m.; South White Street
During the April 18 Wake Forest Board of Commissioners meeting, Mayor Vivian Jones will read a proclamation declaring May as Building Safety Month. As part of the month-long observance, the Inspections Department will offer informational displays, videos, and brochures in the ground floor lobby of town hall. In addition, area residents are invited to stop by Town Hall during normal business hours to speak with Inspections staff.
The goal of Building Safety Month is to increase understanding of building code safety and how it impacts public safety. To that end, each full week of the month will focus on a different aspect of building safety:
- May 1-7: Mentoring the Next Generation of Building Professionals
- May 8-14: Building Design Solutions for All Ages
- May 15-21: Manage the Damage – Preparing for Natural Disasters
- May 22-28: Investing in Technology for Safety, Energy & Water Efficiency
Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council, a membership organization dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. The International Code Council develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.
For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Building Safety Month” or contact Senior Code Enforcement Official Marvin Weathers at 919-435-9533 or mweathers@wakeforestnc.gov.
