Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is vitally important that they – and the motorists around them – take proper safety precautions.

Walkers

• Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk and you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic
• Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming
• Never dart out in front of a parked car
• Parents: Practice walking to school with your child, crossing streets at crosswalks when available
• Never walk while texting or talking on the phone
• Do not walk while using headphones

Bike Riders

• Always wear a helmet that is fitted and secured properly
• Children need to know the rules of the road: Ride single file on the right side of the road, come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across
• Watch for opening car doors and other hazards
• Use hand signals when turning
• Wear bright-colored clothing

Bus Riders

• Teach children the proper way to get on and off the bus
• Line up 6 feet away from the curb as the bus approaches
• If seat belts are available, buckle up
• Wait for the bus to stop completely before standing
• Do not cross in front of the bus if possible, or walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the other drivers

Drivers, Share the Road

• Don't block crosswalks
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and take extra care in school zones
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus

Read more tips at www.nsc.org/home-safety/seasonal-safety/back-to-school

While wildlife is common in the Pine Creek area, please do not encourage human/animal encounters by feeding the wildlife. Mice, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, and other rodents can carry and spread disease via fleas, droppings, urine, nesting materials, and bites which can lead to problems with Hantavirus and Plague, Rabies, and Tularemia. Please do not leave garbage, pet food, or leftovers outside, and do not set out food for rabbits or squirrels. This both attracts wild animal and increases the chance of a harmful encounter, both for your home and those nearby.  

Most dangerous and potentially harmful encounters with wildlife occur because people fail to leave the animals alone.

It is illegal in Colorado to feed deer. Violators may be fined.

Learn more about living with wildlife and animal diseases at coloradosprings.gov/office-emergency-management/page/living-wildlife

Please help keep our neighborhood roadways safe for everyone by signaling as you enter and exit Pine Creek traffic circles (roundabouts) to ensure road safety within our neighborhoods.  

Per the Colorado Driver Handbook:
 - p. 20 - Rotary Island/Roundabout Lane: Yield to traffic already within the rotary island. Drive to the right and watch for directional signs and signals.
- p. 22 - Signaling: Before making any turn, whether the turn is into another roadway, a parking lot, another traffic lane, or leaving a parked position, it is extremely important that you signal. Your signal lets other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians know your intentions. In urban or metropolitan areas, you must signal continuously for 100 ft. before making a turn or lane change. On four-lane highways where the posted speed limit is more than 40 m.p.h. you must signal for 200 ft.Failing to signal is a traffic violation.

Read more about Signaling and Rotary Island/Roundabout/Traffic Circle Driving at 
www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/DriverHandbook.pdf and 
www.drivesmartcolorado.com/programs/buckle/street-signage-pavement-markings/#roundabout

The Colorado Springs Fire Department would like to remind our community that fireworks are always illegal in the city limits. All types of fireworks with a fuse and/or requiring a flame for ignition are illegal. Only novelty items (snappers and poppers) are allowed.

Possession, use and/or the sale of fireworks is subject to a fine up to $2,500 and/or up to 189 days in jail. 

Report Illegal Fireworks - If you hear or witness the use of fireworks being used by a neighbor, call 444-7000. When you call, ALWAYS stay on the line until a call taker answers.

Read more at
https://coloradosprings.gov/fire-department/page/fireworks-safety

Several email addresses used by PCVA.org have apparently been compromised and are being used in Phishing attempts to elicit payments or interaction with the hacker.   The emails appear to come from pcva.org - but do not.

• PCVA is taking steps to minimize the problem although it’s impossible to fully prevent this type of cyber aggression.  
• Homeowners are advised to be wary of direct unsolicited emails from any email address ending in pcva.org.  
• We recommend you simply do not reply and never click on any embedded link that may be part of the email. 
• PCVA will never ask for payment or personal information via email from a pcva.org email account. 
• When in doubt, please contact our Community Manager at ehammersmith.com  or logon to your Hammersmith Account directly (not from any link received in an email).
• Learn more about phishing from the Federal Trade Commission at  www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
• Scammers can also fake a phone number - so you think a call or text is coming from someone you know - learn more about "spoofing" at www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/05/scammers-can-fake-caller-id-info