As Children Head Back to School on Wednesday, a Few Safety Tips

When school starts on Wednesday, 90 to 95 percent of the bus stops will be safe. But for the 5 to 10 percent that may be near downed wires or branches, parents are being asked to help out.

The idea is for parents to be another set of eyes and ears, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Diane Ullman. Being watchful for dangers such as branches, lines down, blockages on sidewalks or roads and to help guide students as they make their way to school either walking or getting to and waiting at the bus stop.

A meeting was held Monday afternoon at the high school where the town’s Emergency Management Director Kevin Kowalski and Connecticut Light & Power education officials presented safety information to the 50 or so people in attendance.

“Safety of our students is our most important concern,” said Ullman.

The administration will use a variety of ways to get information out, as some bus routes may be altered in order to get all students to school out of harm's way. As noted, most bus stops are not dangerous, but for those in areas deemed unsafe the option is to put your child on the bus, take your child to school yourself or to keep him or her home.

“It’s a parents’ choice,” said Ullman.

Kowalski said the school buses took a dry run on Monday and came back with a list of concerns. He said the partnering with volunteers to help guide students through tricky and potentially dangerous stops is the idea behind the meeting.

“We’re asking you to help each other,” said Kowalski.

Carpool with your neighbors or walk together, he said.

CL&P will post ‘wire watchers’ at all hazardous bus stops, said Mike DiPietro from CL&P. He said there is not a count for Simsbury yet, but in Farmington they will have 40 posts. The idea is to have an official there to help alert people, but the addition of parent volunteers helps increase safety.

It is recommended that students do not bike to school, but the choice is up to the parents.

The CL&P representatives went over wire information, but the bottom line is this: any wire down should be considered dangerous. Even if you have been driving or walking over lines, as the power returns they could become re-energized. Also, the use of generators can re-energize a line.

Walter Heinig, manager of technical training at Northeast Utilities, the parent company of CL&P, gave the basics about wires: there are primary, secondary and service cables to name some and volts can range from 23,000 (primary) to 120 to 140.

“As little as 20 volts can be fatal given the right conditions,” he said.

Water can act as a conduit, so the wires can be even more dangerous if they are around water.

“Anything in contact with a wire can become energized,” said Heinig.

That means the wire on the stop sign or your mailbox can energize the mailbox or stop sign, even a guardrail if it’s resting on it. It is best to keep at least 10 feet from any line, he said. The farther away the better, but 10 feet is the minimum.

The minimum is from the whole wire, as the electricity radiates out from the wire. It is not like a hose. It doesn't come out one end. It’s like a halo around the wire, he said.

“Electricity can come out of the wire at any spot,” said Heinig.

If you find yourself in a danger zone the best way to get out is to shuffle or jump with your hands on your need outside the zone. The most important thing is to keep your feet together whether you shuffle or jump. If you take a step you can become a conduit. Keep your feet together.

Driving over wires is what he called the “last resort.” One concern is that wires may becomes tangled with a tire. If you do get trapped in your car (or on a bus) call 911 and do not get out. If you have to get out do not touch anything on the outside of the car/bus.

When driving over wires do not go fast, said Heinig. Tires create some type of insulation, but it is best to avoid wires when possible.

Ultimately, parents have the authority on what they are comfortable with in terms of getting their children to school: bus, drive, car pool, walk or stay home. If you do decide to have your children attend school, most bus routes will be safe and for those that are not, precautions are being taken to protect children.

“You need to safely get them to school,” said Kowalski.

For more information go to www.safenotsorry.org. There will be another program Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the high school at 2 p.m.