An Ode to Building Safety Month 2023

Jack Roberts is the Site Development Supervisor for the City of Phoenix, Ariz., where he has been working for over 18 years.

Since he was a child, Roberts has enjoyed writing poetry, most likely picking up the talent from his father who creates birthday cards for his family each year including poems he writes.

Inspired by Building Safety Month, Roberts wrote a poem underscoring the significance of this celebration and the importance of building safety. 

In 2023, all through the month of May 

Building Safety Month is here, the Code Council will show the way 

Our families and our friends, are the most important thing 

So be aware of building safety, is the message we will bring 

We want homes constructed safe, our public buildings too 

By the builders in the field, and inspectors walking through 

We expect their very best, in the work that they all do 

But concerning building safety, It really Starts With YOU 

Building safety starts at home, is the focus of week one 

Teach it to your family, and even make it fun 

Practice drills with all your kids, if a fire were to start 

Have a place to meet outside, if their rooms are far apart 

If you hear a chirping noise, no that’s not a little bird 

The smoke alarm has warned you, that’s the sound that you just heard 

Your battery is dying, don’t wait another day 

Install a brand new battery, and do it right away. 

To keep your family safe, there are many tips to know 

The Code Council can teach you these, to their website you should go

The second week is all about, the Professionals and You 

To gain an understanding of, the type of work they do 

The Permit Tech, the Plan Review, the Inspector in the field 

They enforce the building code, from hazards help to shield 

The role they play is crucial, their knowledge base is vast 

Their expertise is needed, for a home to safely last. 

You can have a job with us, by following your dream 

Get certified with the Code Council, join the Building Safety Team

Week three of building safety month, is to help you to prepare 

Disaster shows up suddenly, so we need to be aware 

The winds that blow from a hurricane, may last for hours long 

So build the house to the latest code, it will still be standing strong 

Work as a team in your city, have a plan in place for the day 

When fire hits or waters rise, so you won’t be swept away 

To Advocate for Your Community, is the theme of week number four 

Get involved and share your voice, in order to show support 

The tools are at your fingers, spread the building safety word 

Your network that you share with, will help your voice be heard 

Teach your kids of building safety, in this world and in our nation 

Handing down your skill set to, our next generation

And now we’ve come to the last week, let’s take a global view 

And look at all the dangers that, our planet passes through 

With fires and with floods, and earthquakes that destroy 

It’s a worldwide effort, that we must employ 

Our water source is scarce, and we must keep it clean 

So incorporate some methods, how we can intervene 

We’re all in this together, and teamwork is the way 

Let’s show the world just who we are, during the month of May

The Code Council is ready, building safety is the theme 

They need our contribution, we are all on the same team 

So let’s join the celebration, for it’s that time of year 

Spread the news to everyone, Building Safety Month is here 

Visit and get involved in the Code Council’s Building Safety Month celebration, here.