When spring is in the air, buds begin to unfurl their bloom, bees buzz for honey, and birds sing enthusiastically. It's only natural that our thoughts turn to enjoying the great outdoors and our decks.

May is Deck Safety Month, first rolled out in May 2006 to make sure that you or your loved ones don't get, well, decked by your deck.

More than 92 million homes in the United States have a porch, deck, balcony or patio, and experts say that an astonishing 20 million of them are in need of immediate replacement or repair.

The association says between August 2004 and December 2005, the U.S. news media reported 225 injuries and one fatality from deck collapses. Many more deck failures -- with and without injuries -- went unreported.

Simpson reports that the average life expectancy of a deck is 10 to 15 years and requires frequent inspection.

A qualified inspector should give your deck the once over to evaluate its safety and construction and to be certain it is structurally sound and properly maintained.

Excerpts reprinted with permission of Realty Times.