THESE THINGS CAN KILL YOUR KIDS

300 people are killed each year in the U.S. by fires set by children, and 30 percent of the victims are children themselves.

That's why North Metro Fire Rescue and fire agencies throughout the country are lobbying the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the manufacture and sale of novelty lighters disguised as toys. There are lighters on the market that resemble matchbox cars, animals, game pieces and skateboards, all highly attractive to small children. Fire agencies are gathering incident reports that they hope will lead to a ban, which has already happened in Europe.

"We will be participating with any data we collect from our agency, as well as continue with our proactive education programs targeting our community's children," said Wendy Krajewski, information officer for North Metro Fire Rescue.

GREEN? HICK'S THE VERY POSTER BOY

Mayor John Hickenlooper, above, is darn serious about promoting his Tree by Tree initiative to have a million of them planted in Denver over the next 20 years.

Check that leafy jacket. No word on who his tailor is, but we hear the guy plays a flute and counts furry creatures among his closest pals.

SPEAKING OUT

"It's an imperialist war based on manifest destiny."

Julio Tapia, a student at Emily Griffith Opportunity school, on the Iraq war. A couple hundred students skipped classes Thursday to gather at the state Capitol to protest the war. 7

Source: The (Colorado Springs) Gazette