August 2026 Newsletter: Back To School

The image features a community safety newsletter from South Metro Fire Rescue in Colorado, emphasizing safety awareness.

Whether you can't believe summer is almost over or you've been counting down the days, Back to School is upon us! South Metro Fire Rescue wants to remind our community of some of the safety involved in this change so we can all stay safe as we start the new school year. 

This newsletter will cover: 

  • School Zone and Bus Laws 
  • Pedestrian and Bike Safety
  • School-Age Programs We Offer  

To open this newsletter directly on our website, CLICK HERE!

SCHOOL ZONE LAWS
A yellow diamond-shaped sign that says "SLOW SCHOOL ZONE," indicating a reduced speed area near schools.

Liam Stewart School Zone Act

Nearly three years ago, 13-year-old Liam Stewart was hit and killed while riding his bike to school. This tragedy has inspired and created a new Colorado law that went into effect on Aug. 12.

“There’s nothing more important to my family than protecting kids on their way to school,” Liam’s father, Josh Stewart, said.

Part of this bill dictates where a school zone is located and identified, while the second part creates "School Streets" which will have their own set of rules. This may include temporarily limiting vehicle traffic during school drop-off and pick-up and setting a maximum speed limit of 10 mph within that area. 

Read the entire Colorado General Assembly bill here. 

Don't rush through school zones. Keep in mind drop-off and pick-up times. Be aware of the increased pedestrian and bike traffic around those times and drive accordingly. 

BUS LAWS

Per the Colorado State Patrol:

Each year, near misses and crashes involving school buses occur. One of the most common risks associated with school bus transportation is when drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights. This places children at risk while crossing the street, boarding, or disembarking.

The image explains traffic rules for stopping when a school bus's red lights are flashing, detailing scenarios with different road configurations.

Bus Law Reminders: 

  1. Drivers must stop at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road, or at an intersection.
  2. You are not required to stop if the school bus with its red lights flashing is on a roadway opposite you that is separated by a raised or depressed median or other physical barrier.
  3. You must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are no longer operating.
  4. Use caution after the school bus begins to move, as there will be children crossing or near the roadway. Wait and watch before proceeding.

"Those flashing lights and stop signs aren’t just for show. They are there to keep kids safe,” explained Col. Packard. “It’s also a life lesson for these students. Demonstrate patience and respect for others; these kids are watching and learning from you.”

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Top Walking Tips from Safe Kids Worldwide

  1. Look left, right, and left again. Continue looking until safely across. 
  2. Limit distractions. 
  3. Use sidewalks and only cross at street corners and crosswalks. 
  4. Children under 10 need to cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, most kids are unable to judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.
  5. Model safe pedestrian behavior. 
BIKE SAFETY

A helmet is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes. 

Two kids riding bikes on a pathway, wearing helmets, enjoying a sunny day outdoors. Safety first!
Our reflective BE SEEN.BE SAFE. Stickers are available on most fire apparatus and at events we attend. Encourage your kids to be visible to cars while riding or walking. 

Wear a helmet. Wear it correctly. Wear the right helmet for the right activity. Review our Bike Safety tips for kids directly on our website by CLICKING HERE.

E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular, and many parents have questions about how to help their children ride safely. Consider that most helmets were built to a protection standard when bikes moved much slower. In contrast, the NTA 8776 standard was developed in 2016 and is specifically designed for e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micromobility devices that can reach speeds of up to 28 mph. Make sure your child's helmet meets this standard at a minimum. Review our safety tips about e-bikes and e-scooters by CLICKING HERE.

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS WE OFFER

Classroom Visits From South Metro

South Metro Fire Rescue offers an in-person classroom presentation for 3rd-Grade classrooms throughout our district. Children learn about smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, home fire safety, and how to escape a home fire. Our 3rd grade teachers will be receiving an email from our team in the next couple weeks for class requests and sign-ups. 

Youth Firesetting Intervention and Prevention

South Metro Fire Rescue’s Youth Fire Intervention and Prevention Program is designed to help children and teens who may be showing unsafe interest in fire or who have engaged in fire-related incidents. It’s a supportive, non-punitive service that involves education, prevention strategies, and referrals to appropriate resources when needed. This program is available free of charge. 

Visit our Risk Reduction Website page: EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES for a full list of educational materials for both educators and caregivers for all age groups. 

 

Keep an eye out for South Metro Fire Rescue's Community Risk Reduction Team out at events throughout our district!

A woman at a booth for South Metro Fire Rescue, showcasing safety materials and fire helmets, promoting community engagement.

Receive safety information, fun giveaways, and so much more at one of our education booths. We would love for you to come say hi!

August 15th - Cherry Creek Reservoir's Free Lifejacket Event at the Swim Beach 4201 S. Parker Road - from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

August 15th - Western Welcome Week in Downtown Littleton from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

August 25th - Wildfire Ready: Wildfire Preparedness Class Series held at our training center in Parker from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. SIGN UP TODAY BY CLICKING HERE. 

The image promotes a wildfire preparedness class series by South Metro Fire Rescue, with dates for evacuation and wildfire readiness.

We loved meeting so many of you at various events throughout this summer! 

A firefighter poses with a group of children on decorated bikes, alongside a small fire truck in a festive neighborhood setting.
July 4th Bike parades are an annual highlight for our CRR Team and all crews throughout the district. 
A child in striped clothes wearing colorful boots talks to a crouching woman in a uniform, with other people nearby.
Our crews love engaging with the community at events.
An elderly man engages with a uniformed fire department employee at a community event, surrounded by attendees and informational displays.
Our CRR Team often attends Older Adult Resource Fairs with Fire Safety, Medical Emergency, and Emergency Preparedness information and giveaways. 

 

A lively scene with children and adults playing in water, enjoying a sunny day, with a fire truck spraying water in the background.
Tower spraying water at the annual Fire Muster
The image shows life jackets, a fire extinguisher, a poster promoting water safety, and a large inflatable duck in the background.
Water Safety booth at Highlands Ranch Ice Cream Social
Four firefighters pose together in front of a red fire truck, showing camaraderie and readiness for duty.
Long Canyon Fire Wildland Deployment Team
Firefighters demonstrate a vehicle recovery drill with an overturned car in front of a large audience at an outdoor event.
Fire Muster Extrication Demonstration
A colorful fireworks display illuminates the night sky, with spectators watching from a vehicle in an open field.
Fireworks Standby
A helicopter is dropping water, likely for firefighting, over a dry landscape with houses and trees nearby.
Helicopter Ops protecting a neighborhood from a wildland fire
A crowd gathers around a fire truck, interacting with firefighters and exploring the vehicle's equipment.
Engine Demo
A firefighter interacts with a young child, showing them a helmet, with supportive figures in the background.
Firefighter interacting with kids at an engine demo
A group practices CPR on a mannequin at an event, with a large inflatable duck and various materials in the background.
Learning Hands-Only CPR to safe a life!
A child in striped clothes wearing colorful boots talks to a crouching woman in a uniform, with other people nearby.
A firetruck is parked under trees, while people watch fireworks lighting up the night sky over a grassy area.
Fireworks show standby
The image displays a safety guide for e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos, highlighting regulations and safety tips, alongside a helmet.
E-Bike Safety Booth
A firefighter interacts with children at a community event, with crowds and various activities in the background.
A police officer kneels and chats with a young boy wearing a toy firefighter hat and holding a lollipop in a sunny outdoor setting.
A firefighter shows equipment to a child in a fire chief costume at a fire truck.
Our crews love meeting fellow firefighters!
A firefighter hands out stickers to two children near a fire truck during a community event.
Come say hi for stickers and fire helmets
A firefighter poses with a group of children on decorated bikes, alongside a small fire truck in a festive neighborhood setting.
Engine 1/2 joined a bike parade on July 4th in Parker.
A group of kids and an adult at a park, promoting summer safety with various materials and fun decorations.
Katie with our Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Team hosting a small July 4th Bike Parade safety booth
An elderly man engages with a uniformed fire department employee at a community event, surrounded by attendees and informational displays.
Brandi with our CRR Team meeting our community at an older adult resource fair.
A woman in a rescue shirt helps a child while another child watches; colorful pens and materials are on a table nearby.
Colleen with our CRR Team educating the community on water safety.
A lively scene with children and adults playing in water, enjoying a sunny day, with a fire truck spraying water in the background.
The image shows life jackets, a fire extinguisher, a poster promoting water safety, and a large inflatable duck in the background.
Four firefighters pose together in front of a red fire truck, showing camaraderie and readiness for duty.
Firefighters demonstrate a vehicle recovery drill with an overturned car in front of a large audience at an outdoor event.
A colorful fireworks display illuminates the night sky, with spectators watching from a vehicle in an open field.
A helicopter is dropping water, likely for firefighting, over a dry landscape with houses and trees nearby.
A crowd gathers around a fire truck, interacting with firefighters and exploring the vehicle's equipment.
A firefighter interacts with a young child, showing them a helmet, with supportive figures in the background.
A group practices CPR on a mannequin at an event, with a large inflatable duck and various materials in the background.
A child in striped clothes wearing colorful boots talks to a crouching woman in a uniform, with other people nearby.
A firetruck is parked under trees, while people watch fireworks lighting up the night sky over a grassy area.
The image displays a safety guide for e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos, highlighting regulations and safety tips, alongside a helmet.
A firefighter interacts with children at a community event, with crowds and various activities in the background.
A police officer kneels and chats with a young boy wearing a toy firefighter hat and holding a lollipop in a sunny outdoor setting.
A firefighter shows equipment to a child in a fire chief costume at a fire truck.
A firefighter hands out stickers to two children near a fire truck during a community event.
A firefighter poses with a group of children on decorated bikes, alongside a small fire truck in a festive neighborhood setting.
A group of kids and an adult at a park, promoting summer safety with various materials and fun decorations.
An elderly man engages with a uniformed fire department employee at a community event, surrounded by attendees and informational displays.
A woman in a rescue shirt helps a child while another child watches; colorful pens and materials are on a table nearby.

 

 From our South Metro Family to yours, we h​​ope you enjoyed your summer and are ready for the school year ahead!
South Metro Fire Rescue badge with text: "Community Risk Reduction Team South Metro Fire Rescue."
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