August 22, 2016 (Mobile, Ala.)– Mobile-based not for profit, Smart Home America and its partners announce the launch of “Don’t Goof When You Re-Roof®”, an education campaign to inform homeowners about the FORTIFIED HomeTM program and how it can protect their home, provide resilience and can save up to 35 percent on home insurance.

“Alabama and Mississippi have legislated insurance discounts for homes built or retrofitted to the FORTIFIED standard.” Julie Shiyou-Woodard, president and CEO of Smart Home America explained. “Additionally, the benefits far outweigh any additional construction costs. Based on a new independent study, FORTIFIED homes are being valued nearly 7 percent higher than similar, non-FORTIFIED homes.”

Public service announcements will run on local radio and television stations starting today. The campaign website (www.dontgoof.org) uses videos and easy to follow information to walk people through understanding their roof, FORTIFIED, why it matters and the savings available. The site also provides answers to frequently asked questions, steps to take, resources, tips and contacts homeowners will need when re-roofing, as well as, funding available to upgrade to FORTIFIED.

The campaign was created due to the breakthroughs Alabama and Mississippi have pioneered to build stronger, more disaster resistant communities using FORTIFIED. Both states have legislated incentives for people to build stronger homes and many municipalities have added FORTIFIED recommendations into local building codes, making it even more affordable to earn a FORTIFIED designation.

Don’t Goof When You Re-Roof is sponsored by companies who believe in building stronger and in FORTIFIED. “We’re excited to partner with State Farm, Malarkey Roofing Products, the Zip System by Huber Engineered Woods and BASF Disaster Durable Solutions to make Don't Goof a reality.” said Shiyou-Woodard. “We could not have developed and marketed this program without their support.”

About Smart Home America (SHA)

Smart Home America is a grassroots education and outreach not-for-profit organization that seeks solutions to the challenges faced by our built environment. SHA partners with like-minded organizations and advocates for stronger building codes, building methods and policies to create more resilient communities. Learn more at www.smarthomeamerica.org

the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and FORTIFIED HomeTM

IBHS’ mission is to conduct objective, building science research to identify and promote the most effective ways to strengthen homes, businesses and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss. FORTIFIED Home is a set of engineering and building standards designed to help strengthen new and existing homes through system-specific building upgrades that will reduce damage from natural hazards. Visit https://disastersafety.org/for... to learn more about IBHS’ FORTIFIED Home programs.

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