May is Deck Safety Month--Is Yours Up To Snuff?

Simpson Strong-Tie reminds you that May is deck safety month.

In the past five years there have been more than 350 reported injuries and 17 deaths as a result of deck failures. Millions of decks are built incorrectly, have not been properly maintained or are beyond their lifespan of approximately 10-15 years, depending on the construction materials used and the location of the deck..

"The deck is the most dangerous part of the house," warns Dr. Don Bender, a deck safety researcher and director of the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory at Washington State University. "However through proper design, construction and maintenance, most deck failures are completely avoidable.".

To evaluate the safety of their decks, deck owners should look for five warning signs that a deck is unsafe: loose connections (for example, a wobbly railing), missing connections (for example, the deck is just nailed to the side of the house), corrosion, rot and cracks. The two critical areas in a deck collapse are typically the deck's connection to the house and the railings.

Simpson has created two pieces of literature to help educate homeowners and builders on how to build and maintain a safe, code-compliant deck. The 5 Steps to a Safer and Stronger Home for Decks provides homeowners with a list of warning signs and proactive ways to ensure their deck is strong and safe. The new Deck Framing Connection Guide is a how-to guide for homeowners and contractors that provides information and instruction on securing the critical deck connections. The 5 Steps and Deck Guide are available at www.strongtie.com/safedeck".