Snow and Tell at Winter Safety Day

Children around the province will be getting a lesson in winter safety from the professionals at Transportation and Public Works this week.

Snowplow crews will be taking their bright yellow rigs to more than 70 elementary schools across Nova Scotia as part of the department's third annual Winter Safety Day on Monday, Nov. 22.

"We've had an explosion of interest from principals on every shore. We've had so much interest, our crews have had to schedule visits throughout this week," said Gordon Balser, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "Our plow operators will be delivering an important safety message punctuated by a truck that's bigger than four elephants. It's a great snow and tell."

Snowplow operators, who undergo special training to earn the department's Snow Fighter' handle, will visit numerous schoolyards to share their winter snowstorm experiences with the children and talk about winter safety. The children have a chance for an up-close-and-personal visit with the department's 15,422 kilogram (34,000-pound) snowplows, as well.

"Winter safety rules are important, no matter what your age. These visits give us an opportunity to talk about serious concerns in a fun way," said Mike Taggart, an operator in Londonderry, whose crews will be going to schools in Debert and Masstown. "It gives us a chance to tell the kids to stay back, especially when they're waiting for the school bus."

In addition to the plow and operator visit, children in the younger grades receive colouring books, and each school is presented with a certificate of participation. For the first time, crews from Halifax Regional Municipality will also be participating.

Some of the rules children will be asked to keep in mind are:

• don't slide or walk in snowbanks close to the road
• don't make tunnels or snow forts near the roadside
• stay well back from big plows and trucks
• dress appropriately for the winter weather

"We hope these children take the message home to mom and dad as well," said Mr. Balser. "I'm looking forward to checking out one of those monstrous snowplows, too."