This month is Building Safety Month, and L&I is reaching out to local professionals to make safety visible and accessible by operating a temporary one-stop-shop off Oregon Avenue. Together with the local chapter of the International Code Council, L&I will hold a series of free advanced trainings for code officials, contractors, and tradespeople, too.

You don’t have to be a pro to participate in Building Safety Month, though!

In fact, you can participate in the month-long observance by taking a few easy, commonsense actions right now.

LIStartRight
L&I’s “Start Right” guide helps contractors, entrepreneurs, and homeowners navigate licenses and permits to make safely following the city code easy to understand.
  1. Project Planning: Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or business owner, begin your construction or renovation project by checking out L&I’s “Start Right” guide that walks you through how to proceed safely and with the proper permits and licenses. (If you’re hiring a contractor, you can check online whether that contractor is licensed, too!)
  2. Smoke Alarms: Put at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. Good locations include outside each sleeping area or in every bedroom. Make sure your smoke alarms work by pushing the test button at least twice a year. If you don’t hear a loud noise, you need a new battery or new alarm!  Smoke alarms don’t last forever and need to be replaced at least every ten years. If you can’t afford a smoke detector, contact Philly311 and the Philadelphia Fire Department will install one in your home for free!

    ReadyPhilaLWP
    You can prepare for severe weather by signing up for ReadyPhiladelphia alerts online.
  3. Emergency Planning: Make a plan with everyone in your household about what to do if they hear the smoke alarm or during an emergency. Head over to Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management to learn how you can prepare for an emergency.
  4. Heaters: Portable heaters need their space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from them.
  5. Barbecue Grills: Keep grills away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Never use a grill in a garage, porch, or enclosed area that could trap carbon monoxide.
  6. Storm Security: When a major storm is on the way, secure outdoor furniture, trash cans, grills, toys, or anything else that could cause injury or damage if blown around during storms with high winds.
  7. Decks: If you have a deck, check regularly for warning signs, including loose or wobbly railings or support beams, missing or loose screws that connect the deck to the house, corrosion, rot, and cracks.
  8. Air Filters: Regularly change the filters in the heating and cooling system of your home or office to reduce costs, protect equipment, and better clean the air.

For more information about L&I, please visit the department’s website. To report a property, contact Philly311 online or at 215-686-8686. To apply for or renew your business license online, visit eCLIPSE.

Are you participating in Building Safety Month? Let us know on Twitter using the #BuildingSafetyMonth hashtag and tagging @PhiladelphiaGov!