School buses prepare to pick up students in frigid temperatures

CINCINNATI - With the coldest temperatures of the winter hitting the Tri-State, being outdoors for long periods of time is not recommended.

The First Student Bus Depot in Arlington Heights is prepared for the inclement weather, but students waiting for school buses are still advised to limit the amount of time waiting outdoors.

The bus depot on 100 Hamilton Boulevard houses 72 diesel buses that need extra time to be warmed up when temperatures drop to the single digits. Mechanics began starting buses at 4:30 a.m. getting them ready for departure starting at 5:45 a.m.

Tuesday is reroute day for the bus drivers, which adds to the difficulty of getting the buses to Cincinnati Public School Students in a timely manner. Bus drivers are given new routes which may have added kids or pick-up locations to the roster and vice versa.

First Student Bus Depot offers the following winter safety tips to motorists and parents:

• Give yourself extra time to travel when weather is bad.
• Properly maintain your car
• Leave home early to get to the bus stop so you are not rushing
• Provide extra layers of clothing and cover exposed areas
• Pay attention to weather alerts and school messages

Young children may also be at risk of hypothermia when waiting for school buses. Children lose body heat much faster than adults do, especially through the head according to research from the Mayo Clinic. To avoid hypothermia in children, cover exposed areas of the skin, layer clothing, and limit the amount of time in the cold. Symptoms include slurred speech, confusion, weak pulse, and shallow breathing.