Teach Back-to-School Safety
As our young friends make their way back to school this month, keep safety top of mind. Here are some suggestions to help keep everyone safe throughout the school year.
Slow down in residential and school zones, and be careful around school buses. Remind students to walk in front of the bus, never behind, when getting on or off. When red lights flash, stop and stay back, allowing for plenty of clearance.
When it comes to electrical safety, dangers can always be found nearby, even on the school bus or at the bus stop. Inform your children not to play near or around power lines or poles while waiting for the bus. They could climb up a nearby tree or electrical pole and accidentally grab a power line. This could be a fatal mistake, so make sure your children know the dangers.
Advise children to stay away from padmount transformers—the big green boxes on the ground—and other electrical equipment. Children might view these green boxes as playground equipment. Warn them not to put their fingers, sticks, or other objects through cracks in a transformer, and explain to them why they should never touch or go near areas where they see hazard stickers.
Discuss as a family the different scenarios your children may find themselves in. If their school bus is in an accident involving power lines, they should assume the lines are still energized. They should remain in the bus as their bus driver calls 911. If your children must exit the vehicle, advise them to always listen to instructions from first responders or the bus driver.
In an emergency, students on the bus may need to jump out of the vehicle with both feet together, avoiding contact with the bus and the ground at the same time. Then, they should shuffle away with small steps, being sure to always keep both feet together and on the ground until at least 40 feet away. This will reduce the risk of electrical shock or electrocution.
We wish everyone a happy and successful school year. Being careful and staying safe are key factors to every student’s opportunity to be their very best. Good luck to all students, teachers, parents, and guardians as another school year begins.
Sincerely,
Michael Darrington
General Manager