Summer has arrived in Louisiana, school is out and vacation time is in full swing. For parents, it’s crucial to discuss outdoor safety with children, reminding them to watch for waste trucks while maintaining a safe distance as they play.

Waste Management suggests parents take a minute to speak with their children about safety around waste vehicles, as well as general safety precautions to take around all vehicular traffic.

“Neighborhood streets are generally much busier in the summer, and children are often curious about garbage trucks,” said Tony Franco, Waste Management Gulf Coast area safety manager.

“Safety is a top priority for Waste Management, and we ask that parents advise their children to stay a considerable distance away from these trucks. While it may appear that our trucks are stopped, they have a lot of elements that at any point could begin moving.”

Here are some tips to stay safe:

• Every Waste Management truck is equipped with a backup alarm. A loud beeping sound or white back-up lights mean it’s time to move out of the truck’s way.

• Children and pets should never climb onto a truck, whether it’s operating or parked.

• Toys should always be moved out of the path of the truck so children aren’t tempted to play too close by.

• Children should never play or stand in trash bins.

• It takes a garbage truck about twice as long to stop as a passenger car, so children should never run or bike in front of one.

• Do not allow children to attempt to “help” by loading any garbage in the truck. In addition to moving truck parts, debris can come out of the trucks hopper when it’s compressed.

While it’s important children be cautious around garbage trucks’, truck drivers can help out if an emergency situation arises — all drivers have a device that connects them to local dispatchers, who can contact emergency service personnel if needed.

Morgan Wampold 

Waste Management