Celebrate Safety in May

For Immediate Release
May 1, 2020

Janay Rickwalder
PHTA Vice President, Marketing & Communications
jrickwalder@phta.org

Celebrate Safety in May

Two important month-long campaigns promote safety.

(ALEXANDRIA, VA) – Safety is an important part of our daily lives. That’s why being safety aware in places where we live, work and play is so important.

Consider these facts:

• Companies who care for employees’ safety have more productive employees and higher retention rates, not to mention reduced injuries and lost work hours.
• People who conduct themselves safely and stay updated on safety standards enjoy fewer injuries and illnesses, as well as live longer, more fulfilling lives.

People tend to embrace safety as a standard practice in their daily actions. However, keeping safety top-of-mind can sometimes become so second nature that people forget to follow the most updated recommendations or adhere to the safest standards.

That’s why two important May celebrations are worth engaging.

The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance is proud to support the International Code Council’s National Building Safety Month where “Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World” is the theme. The month-long campaign, sponsored by the American Gas Association, the American Concrete Institute and the National Association of Home Builders, emphasizes modern building codes and strong code compliance for building safety professionals. This month, they can learn about the importance of disaster preparedness, water safety, sustainability and innovation, as well as training the next generation.

May is also National Water Safety Month. These two special months go together because water safety is a highlight of National Building Safety Month. Safely enjoying water is a natural and welcome part of summer. National Water Safety Month, a coalition between the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, the American Red Cross, the National Recreation and Park Association and the World Waterpark Association, focuses on raising public awareness about the safe enjoyment of water. This includes safe swimming tips, proper pool rules and and other safe conduct recommendations people should follow in and around water.

“In today’s climate, creating safe, reliable and healthy buildings has never been more important,” says International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “In difficult times, like our current pandemic, code officials and building safety professionals remain essential to keeping us all safe and protected within the buildings we spend most of our time. Regardless of our circumstances, safe building will always be important.”

“Providing essential pool, spa and hot tub services is important for public health and safety because it prevents algae growth, mosquitoes, water-borne diseases and cloudy water,” adds PHTA President & CEO, Sabeena Hickman, CAE. “The busy swim season starts with National Water Safety Month, and that’s the best time to learn about being safe in and around water.”

Both campaigns provide a wealth of resources for the public to consume. The National Building Safety Month’s 2020 Campaign Toolkit (www.buildingsafetymonth.org) provides virtual events, a social media guide and brochures. The National Water Safety Month’s 2020 Campaign Toolkit (https://nwsm.phta.org/) offers water safety tips, free resources, a safe swimmer’s pledge and more.

Promote National Building Safety Month and National Water Safety Month on social media with the following hashtags: #BuildingSafety365, #BeWaterAware, #NWSM2020, #Learn2Swim,and #DrowingIsPreventable.