Decks aren't used only for summer parties; they welcome guests during the holiday season, too. But recent reported accidents, wherein decks collapsed and many were injured with some fatalities, underscore the point that a deck safety check is a must. National building codes for decks, porches and balconies require them to support at least 40 pounds per square foot. This means a balcony packed with partygoers should be safe as long as there's enough room to allow moving around. And, that is why proper plans, building permits, inspections and adhering to codes is so important. But as decks age, even properly built structures can become unsafe. Boards weather and rot, insects destroy wood integrity and fasteners and railings loosen. The result is a potentially weakened structure and a disaster waiting to happen. When large numbers of people gather to socialize, the bigger and higher the deck, porch or balcony, the greater the danger. Check your deck now! And that's the On The House Tip for today.