Every year, May is Building Safety Month across the United States which serves to keep neighbors informed on how building codes keep us safe. This month, we’ll be sharing information with our neighbors on social media and providing themed activities for our young neighbors! Follow along with us at the City of Anna Facebook and Nextdoor pages to see what activities are planned. Please reach out to the Building Division with any questions and visit their page for more information.
Building Safety Month Post/Activity Schedule
May 3 – Week 1: Energy & Innovation Post with Activity
May 6 and May 7 – Kids may pick up prizes between 2:30pm -5:30pm
May 10 – Week 2: Training the Next Generation Post with Activity
May 13 – Kids may pick up prizes between 2:30pm and 5:30pm
May 17 – Week 3: Water Safety Post with Activity
May 20 and 21 – Kids may pick up prizes between 2:30pm and 5:30pm
May 24 – Week 4: Disaster Preparedness Post with Activity
May 27 and 28 – Kids may pick up prizes between 2:30pm and 5:30pm
Building Safety Month Activities and Prizes
Week 1: Energy & Innovation
This week’s topics are energy and innovation. Creating a resilient nation requires diligent planning and innovative thinking. Effectively utilizing current codes and standards throughout all phases of the building’s lifecycle increases the efficacy of new building technologies and offers a cost-effective path towards community stability during times of disaster.
Our Week One activity will be coloring a page out of the International Code Council (ICC) Building Safety Month coloring book linked below. The prize for completion is a building block kit and can be picked up any Thursday and Friday in the month of May between 2:30pm-5:30pm from our Public Works building (3223 N Powell Pkwy. Anna, TX 75409).
Link to Coloring Book
Week 2: Training the Next Generation
Neighbors, for week two of Building Safety Month, we’re talking about code officials and training the next generation. Code officials provide an important service to our communities by ensuring that the buildings where we live, work, and play are safe and resilient. Since many code professionals are planning to retire in the next 15 years, there is a tremendous opportunity for those looking for a rewarding career. (International Code Council, 2021)
Check out www.iccsafe.org for professional development courses and to learn more about the building safety industry!
For this week’s Building Safety Month activity, check out our Marshmallow Engineering ideas at annatexas.gov/MarshmallowEngineering and share some of your creations with us. The prize for completion is a tape measure multi-tool and can be picked up any Thursday and Friday in the month of May between 2:30pm-5:30pm from our Public Works building (3223 N Powell Pkwy. Anna, TX 75409).
Week 3: Water Safety
To celebrate Building Safety Month Week 3, we're talking about water safety. Many water challenges are faced today due to high demand and quality issues. The International Code Council is dedicated to helping solve these problems through strong, modern, building codes. These codes lead to resilient communities, safe plumbing, efficient technologies and a well-trained, professional workforce of code officials (International Code Council, 2021). To learn more about 10 water safety tips, click here.
For this week's activity, use the downloadable document linked below to design a water-conscious garden. The prize for completion is a City of Anna water bottle and can be picked up May 20 and 21 between 2:30pm and 5:15pm from our Public Works building (3223 N Powell Pkwy. Anna, TX 75409).
Link to Design a Garden
Week 4: Disaster Preparedness
Week 4 of Building Safety Month focuses on disaster preparedness. Building codes address structural integrity, lighting, ventilation, safe egress, construction materials as well as fire resistance. They specify the minimum requirement to safeguard the health, safety, and general welfare of building occupants (International Code Council, 2021) which keeps all of us safe.
For 10 Disaster Safety Tips, please click here.
For this week’s Building Safety Month activity, check out our Safety Search activity at the link below. There is a prize for completion that can be picked up May 27 and 28 between 2:30pm-5:15pm from our Public Works building (3223 N Powell Pkwy. Anna, TX 75409).
Link to Safety Search Activity