Safe Kids Iredell County

08/28/2026

Come out Monday and get your car seat checked!

Another opportunity to make sure your child is riding safely! 👇

We invite you to join us for our next Car Seat Check Event with Safe Kids Iredell County and the Statesville Police Department! Whether you're new to car seats or just want peace of mind, our certified technicians are here to help ensure your child is riding as safely as possible.

At each event, you can:
✔️ Get your car seat checked for proper installation
✔️ Learn how to correctly secure your child
✔️ Ask questions and gain hands-on guidance

𝐂𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤
📅 Monday, August 31, 2026
📍 Ebenezer Volunteer Fire Department (1002 Turnersburg Hwy)
⏰ 3:00pm-5:00pm
🚨 No appointments needed - just stop by!
🔗 Learn more: fire.statesvillenc.net/calendar

Let's work together to keep our youngest passengers safe. 💙

08/10/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧

There’s a new face helping the Statesville Fire Department teach fire and life safety, and he has scales, a helmet and an important mission.

Meet Fire Marshal Pete, the Fire Marshal Dragon, a new fire safety character created to help children and families learn how to prevent fires, prepare for emergencies and stay safe.

Known as FM Pete, the character was inspired by Statesville Fire Marshal Allen “Pete” Morrison and brings a fun, approachable personality to the Fire Department’s ongoing public education efforts.

Through FM Pete, the Statesville Fire Department will share age-appropriate safety information on topics including fire prevention, home escape planning, cooking safety, lithium-ion battery safety, seasonal hazards, calling 9-1-1 and understanding what Firefighters and Fire Marshals do in the community.

“Fire prevention starts with education, and the earlier we can begin those conversations, the better,” said Statesville Fire Chief Glenn Kurfees. “FM Pete gives us another way to connect with children and families and make important safety lessons memorable.”

While FM Pete may be new, his mission reflects the work the Statesville Fire Department does every day to prevent emergencies before they happen. The character will be incorporated into educational materials, community outreach, special events and other fire prevention initiatives.

FM Pete will also help bring fire and life safety education to schools, libraries, camps, community organizations and other groups throughout Statesville.

Families can meet FM Pete, learn more about his story and explore fire and life safety resources at fire.statesvillenc.net/pete-the-dragon.

Keep an eye out for FM Pete around Statesville. He has plenty of fire safety lessons to share!

08/04/2026

07/24/2026

The free car seat check is back!

📅 Wednesday, July 29
⌚ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
🎯Target (River Hwy.)

Stop by and make sure your child’s car seat is installed correctly. We'll see you there!

07/23/2026

Mark your calendars for Monday, July 27th!

07/10/2026

🚲 Where can your child ride an e-bike?

In North Carolina, electric-assisted bicycles are generally treated like traditional bicycles, but local parks, greenways, and trail systems may have their own rules. Some state park trails allow certain classes of e-bikes, while others have restrictions.

Before your child heads out:
✔️ Review local trail and greenway rules. Many towns do not allow motorized vehicles on trails or greenways
✔️ Teach them to yield to pedestrians.
✔️ Remind them to obey stop signs and traffic signals.
✔️ Encourage riding at safe speeds around others.

The safest ride is one that respects everyone sharing the path.

07/09/2026

🚴 See and Be Seen

E-bikes can move faster than many drivers expect. Help your child stay visible by:

✨ Wearing bright-colored clothing
✨ Using front and rear lights
✨ Adding reflectors to the bike
✨ Avoiding riding at dusk or after dark if possible

Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing intersections and never assume a driver sees them.
Being visible is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of a crash.

07/08/2026

⚡ Did you know?

North Carolina defines an electric-assisted bicycle as having:
🚲 Fully operable pedals
⚡ A motor of 750 watts or less
🏃 A maximum motor-powered speed of 20 mph on level ground

If an e-bike exceeds those limits, it may be classified differently and subject to additional requirements.
Parents should be especially cautious about purchasing high-powered electric bikes or electric dirt bikes that may not be legal for use on streets, bike paths, or greenways.
Before you buy, make sure you understand exactly what your child will be riding.

07/07/2026

⛑️Parents, here's what you need to know about helmets:

In North Carolina, riders under age 16 are required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, including an electric-assisted bicycle. E-bikes are bicycles with electric motors that assist the rider. E-motos are vehicles that require a license to operate. These electric dirt bikes exceed 20 mph and are for off road use ONLY.
But safety experts recommend EVERY e-bike rider wear a helmet, regardless of age.

When choosing a helmet:
✔️ It should sit level on the head.
✔️ The straps should form a "V" under the ears.
✔️ The helmet should not move when your child shakes their head.

A properly fitted helmet can significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries.

07/06/2026

E-bikes are a fun, convenient, and eco-friendly way to ride—but safety comes first. As more e-bikes hit our roads and trails, it's important to understand the risks and how to ride responsibly. Stay tuned this week for tips to help keep your family safe!

⚡ Before buying your child an e-bike, ask yourself:

✅ Is it legal, e-bikes have operable pedals and legal up to 20 mph
✅ Can they consistently follow traffic rules?
✅ Do they stop at intersections and look both ways?
✅ Can they safely ride a traditional bicycle?
✅ Are they mature enough to make safe decisions without direct supervision?

E-bikes can travel much faster than traditional bicycles, giving riders less time to react to hazards.
Parents should ride with their child first and establish clear rules about where they can ride and who they can ride with.
Remember: An e-bike is not a toy—it is a vehicle that requires skill, judgment, and responsibility.