Spring Cleaning isn't just for looks! It's an essential part of home fire safety and even reducing your wildfire risk. South Metro Fire Rescue has put together a list of Spring Cleaning Tips for the highest risk areas inside and outside of your home. 

While this list is not all-inclusive, it's a good start on home maintenance you may not have thought of all year. Use our checklist below to help harden your home against wildfires. 

Review last month's newsletter for your Home Interior 'Spring Cleaning For Safety' Checklist with a focus on our most common fire emergencies and health risks.

Please make sure this newsletter is not being delivered to your spam mail! 

Spring Cleaning for Safety Checklist.pdf

Follow us on Social Media to view our Seconds for Safety Video Series: Spring Cleaning for Safety! CLICK HERE

 

An emerging risk we’re watching closely this year is the impact of a dry winter on our upcoming wildfire season. In Colorado, winter snowpack plays a critical role in keeping vegetation moist well into the summer months. When snowfall is below average, grasses, shrubs, and trees dry out earlier and become more receptive to ignition. This means that fires can start sooner, spread faster, and burn more intensely. Combined with warmer temperatures and seasonal winds, this creates the potential for an extended and more dangerous wildfire season.

Research tells us most homes are ignited by small flames and embers. Research in fire science consistently shows that homeowners can take practical steps to significantly reduce their home’s risk of fire and improve personal safety. Now is the time for residents to take simple risk-reduction steps: clear dead vegetation around your home, keep gutters and roofs free of debris, and create defensible space.

Small actions taken today can make a big difference in protecting your home and community later this summer!

 

APRIL 14th - Ranch Ready: Wildfires and Livestock Preparedness

Join South Metro Fire, Douglas County 4-H and Arapahoe County 4-H at South Metro Headquarters: 9195 E. Mineral Avenue, Centennial at 6:00pm on Tuesday, April 14th to learn about how to prepare your ranch and livestock for a wildfire. This will include packing a trailer, planning for animals without a trailer available, evacuation plans, and things to do before, during, and after a wildfire. 

VIRTUAL viewing option will also be available for those who cannot join us in person.

CLICK HERE to RSVP for in person option or to receive an email for the virtual link. 

 

APRIL 18th - Scouting Day: Fire and First Aid 

Get ready for an adventure! South Metro's Scouting Day: Fire and First Aid is a hands-on day where ALL kids ages 6-11 learn real-world fire safety and emergency skills while having a blast! It’s the kind of experience that builds confidence, knowledge, and creates memories you and your friends will talk about long after the day is done!

Now open to ALL Kids ages 6-11, not just scouts! While our education is organized for scouts to earn their First and and Fire Safety badges, this knowledge is not exclusive for scouting! (While we’re somewhat flexible with ages, learning topics are best suited for this range so please use your discretion if wanting to sign up an older or younger kid).

MAY 2nd - Wildfire Preparedness Day

In Colorado, wildfires will always be a natural part of the beautiful state we have chosen to call home. However, wildfires have evolved in recent years, making them extremely dangerous and challenging for firefighters to control.

Learn how to protect your home from wildfires and create Defensible Space by visiting our Wildfire Preparedness Page. 

NEIGHBORHOOD HOME IGNITION ZONE WILDFIRE ASSESSMENTS: Invite South Metro's Community Risk Reduction Team to your Neighborhood to assess your risk and suggest opportunities for mitigation. Spots are filling up fast - Make sure you SIGN UP soon by filling out our Neighborhood Wildfire Assessment Request Form

Visit www.southmetrocrr.org/reverse911 for more information. 

 

Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself, your home, and our community safe. 

Please share this important safety information with friends and neighbors so we can all stay safe together! Encourage them to sign up for our Newsletter using a link below.

From our South Metro Family to yours, we hope you have a safe, happy, and fresh start to spring!