SPRINGFIELD, OH (May 5, 2021) — The Clark County Community and Economic Development Department will be distributing 100 smoke detectors to Clark County residents as part of May’s Building Safety Month.
The Board of Clark County Commissioners marked Building Safety Month with a proclamation at its weekly meeting on Wednesday, May 5.
“The building code, as with any other code, is intended to safeguard health, safety, property and public welfare,” said Clark County Chief Building Official Mike Asebrook. “Building codes continue to make our built-environment safer, but every year our existing housing-stock continues to age. We want to increase awareness to our residents about the importance of keeping their properties safe.”
The smoke detectors will be available inside the Community and Economic Development Department, located at the Springview Government Center, 3130 East Main Street in Springfield beginning Thursday, May 6.
The international theme for Building Safety Month in 2021 is “Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save.” Here are a few tips from Asebrook to help residents make their homes safer.
Prevent
- Reduce fire risks by checking smoke alarms. A Clark County house-fire survivor recently said “the smoke alarm saved my life.”
- Never leave a heat-source or open-flame unattended.
- Have your chimney cleaned regularly.
- Have a working fire-extinguisher readily available.
- Post your address with 4-inch numbers so emergency responders can easily identify your home.
- Know your flood risk and that flooding happens where it rains.
- Fix loose railings.
Prepare
- Plan ahead for severe weather by making an emergency preparedness kit.
- Make your home or business safer by making and practicing an emergency exit plan.
- Consider adding insulation to make your home more energy efficient.
Protect
- While insurance covers property, the disruption that fire, severe-weather and flooding cause have traumatic effects on families.
- Be sure to obtain approvals for safer home-improvement projects
For more information about building safety, call the Clark County Community and Economic Development Office at 937-521-2160.
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Media contact: Michael Cooper, Public Information Officer, 937-521-2031