As we begin a new year, we hope our community enjoyed a joyful and safe holiday season. 

January brings unique safety challenges for Colorado, and in this edition of our newsletter, we’ll share important winter driving tips, highlight a growing safety concern impacting our community—particularly our youth—and revisit key information on lithium-ion battery safety.

Colorado’s weather can change quickly, creating dangerous conditions at home and on the road. Visit CDOT's COTrip.org or the COtrip app for closures, traction laws, and chain restrictions before your drive. 

 

We want all our drivers to be successful on the roads this winter season. Please reach out with any questions and visit our DRIVING SAFETY PAGE to review carseat requirements and sign up for teen driving classes. 

 

E-bikes and E-scooters have experienced a rapid rise in popularity - especially among our youth. This popularity has created a new risk that safety laws haven't yet caught up to. Anecdotally, ER Doctors around the country are begging parents to forego these dangerous gifts, or at least require their children wear a helmet to ride.  

"Injuries associated with all micromobility devices increased nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021... Children 14 years and younger accounted for about 36% of micromobility injuries from 2017 to 2022." (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)). 

Collisions with motor vehicles are the leading hazard for E-Bikes, but single-accidents and "lost control" issues are a close second. 

• ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding. 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. 
• Check for Damage. Before riding, check every part of your device for damage. 
• BE SEEN. E-Bikes and E-Scooters are small, often quiet, and move quickly - making it incredibly difficult for drivers to spot you. This is also a newer form of transportation, so drivers aren't trained to look out for these riders yet. 

- Assu​​me that drivers and pedestrians do not see you. 

- Use the bell/horn to alert others. 

- Be predictable - Do not make abrupt movements drivers won't be able to anticipate. 

• Limit only one person per scooter or bike. Additional riders can increase the risk and severity of collisions.

Visit our BIKE SAFETY PAGE for more information.

 

These fires often start in the garage due to unsafe charging practices of Lithium-Ion devices. Items that use Lithium-Ion Batteries are efficient and powerful, but if damaged or misused, they can overheat, catch fire, or explode. This includes E-Bikes and E-Scooters. 

South Metro Fire Rescue encourages everyone to buy, charge, and recycle safely to reduce your risk of fire. 

Buy Smart

• Choose products with safety certifications from a nationally recognized testing lab.
• Research before you buy. (Visit our website for tips!)

Charge Safely

• Use only manufacturer-approved chargers.
• Charge on a hard surface — never under bedding or on furniture.
• Unplug once fully charged.
• Stop charging immediately if you notice swelling, odor, heat, leaking, or unusual noises — and move the device away from anything flammable.
• Call 9-1-1 if you see smoke or fire.

Recycle Right

• Never put lithium-ion batteries in household trash or curbside recycling.
• Use a proper battery recycling location. (Find safe disposal options on our website!)

 

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: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.