The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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November 13, 2009

Youngsters learn about winter safety

County workers visit elementary schools

By Tanner Kent

ST. CLAIR — Even third-graders have stories about winter dangers.

One student in Kirsten Jeddeloh’s class at St. Clair Elementary said his dad once rear-ended another car during white-out conditions. Another student recalled mom’s warning to be quiet so she could focus on the road during one particularly white-knuckled ride.

Still another in Brian Noyes’ third-grade class remembered the time he once got frostbite — in both hands.

But Doug Willaert, a longtime snowplow driver for Blue Earth County, had his own story to share during his visits this week to several third-grade classrooms across the area.

“At 30 mph, this plow can shoot the snow all the way to the slide on your playground,” Willaert said, pointing to a spot about 50 feet away. “That’s why it’s so important to be safe and always let the driver know that you see them.”

As part of a now annual effort to educate kids on winter safety, Blue Earth County officials spent this week traveling to area elementary schools.

Lessons included all the old favorites — stay inside during severe weather, stay in the car if you’re stranded and stay a safe distance from snowplows — as well as reminders to not play near street curbs and other places near the path of a snowplow.

And to make sure students were prepared for the unexpected, they all received a winter-survival kit, which included a whistle, survival blanket, flashlight, emergency tape, garbage bags, candle and a bag of treats — for emergency energy, of course.

Brenda Olmscheid, who works with Blue Earth County Emergency Management, said she hopes the survival kits spark conversations at home.

“These kids are at that age where they get excited to share with their parents,” she said, noting the checklist for a more detailed kit that was also sent home with students. “And this is a family project.”

The elementary events were held in conjunction with the state department of public safety’s Winter Hazard Awareness Week. This year’s week includes an amateur photo contest and a new Web site for information on a number of safety topics: winterweather.state.mn.us.

Walmart sponsored the Blue Earth County program by donating several items in the survival kits.

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