Winter Safety Day Begins

Nova Scotia children are learning this week how to stay safe at play this winter. Snow plow operators from the Department of Transportation and Public Works will visit elementary schools to tell children to stay away from snow removal machines and snowbanks close to roads.

Winter Safety Day begins Tuesday, Dec. 5. Snow plow crews will be taking their bright yellow rigs to elementary schools. Children at participating schools will receive colouring books and their schools will receive certificates of participation.

"This is the fourth annual Winter Safety Day, as our staff members deliver life-saving lessons," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "Our plow operators will deliver the message as the children get a close-up look at the large snow removing machines."

Snow plow operators, who take special training to earn the department's Snow Fighter nickname, will visit the schoolyards to share winter snowstorm experiences with the students and talk about winter safety.

"We know children love to tell their parents about what goes on in school, especially when it is something out of the ordinary," said Mr. Russell. "We hope they take the safe driving message home to their parents."

Some rules the children are taught include:

• 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 winter weather

Mr. Russell officially launched Winter Safety Day this morning when he visited Windsor Elementary School in Windsor.