Did you know Spring Cleaning is just as much for safety as it is for looks!? South Metro Fire Rescue has put together a list of cleaning tips for some of the highest risk parts 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 prevent some of the most common health and safety emergencies we see in our district!

We will follow up next month with a Home Exterior 'Spring Cleaning For Safety' Checklist with a focus on wildfire preparedness! 

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

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. 

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 BICYCLE SAFETY PAGE for more information on this emerging risk and to learn more on how to stay safe. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Smoke alarms play a crucial role in keeping us safe, and we encourage you to help protect your family and home by ensuring smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are installed correctly. 

Visit our Smoke and CO Alarm Page on our website for more information. 

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 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 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 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!

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!