By, Hilary Gennaro
6/1/2026
Deck Safety Month is celebrated annually in May. The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) created this initiative in 2006 to raise public awareness about the importance of safe deck installation, and regular deck inspections. While a window leak might let in cold air, or a missing roof tile might cause some water damage, a failed deck railing could cost someone their life. Here are some surprising facts about deck safety:
- Approximately 90% of all structural deck collapses occur because of a failure in the ledger board, which is the connection point between your deck and the house.
- According to NADRA, there are roughly 40 million decks in the U.S. that are over 20 years old. These were built before modern building codes required heavy-duty bolts instead of nails, and they are therefore at a higher risk of collapsing.
- Unlike roof leaks or foundation cracks, deck failures happen fast and without warning. Approximately 75% of people on a deck at the time of a collapse are injured or killed.
- The CPSC estimates that over 55,000 people are injured by a wood deck or porch collapse annually (including tens of thousands of seniors).
Although these facts are frightening, you can be proactive about deck safety to protect yourself and your loved ones. May is the perfect month to perform a deck safety inspection because it is a bridge between winter and summer, giving you a chance to evaluate how the weather and elements may have affected your deck, and to prepare for the season to come. A deck safety inspection safeguards your home’s value and your loved ones’ lives.
Before hosting friends and family for a summer party, thoroughly inspect the following areas:
- Ledger Board: Check the connections between the deck and your house to ensure bolts are tight, rust-free, and showing no signs of pulling away.
- Posts and Footings: Look at the wood posts supporting the deck for signs of rot, especially if they are buried in the ground.
- Railings: Push on your railings to check for any wobbling, loose connections, or rotting pickets.
- Hardware and Fasteners: Inspect nails, screws, and metal joist hangers for rust and corrosion.
- Deck Boards and Stairs: Look out for loose boards, splintering and uneven or unlevel stairs.
Finally, you can use the 10-point Deck Safety Consumer Checklist provided by NADRA to guide your visual inspection, or rely on Gennaro Contracting’s free deck inspection services to ensure your deck is safe and sound this summer season!
