School Bus Driver Tips
Drivers of school buses across the nation shoulder great responsibility. Transporting a busload of young children to and from school each day is an admirable feat, especially considering the freewheeling nature of most of the passengers. Loud, rambunctious and often fraught with hygiene accidents, the average school bus should come equipped with a survival guide.
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Anticipate Carsickness
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Whether it's a lingering stomach flu or the bus' exhaust fumes that have turned a child's stomach, the results can be messy, not to mention embarrassing for the victim. Keep a stock of plastic grocery bags or brown paper lunch sacks in easy reach at the front of the bus. If a child expresses feelings of nausea before boarding, give him one for the trip. Also keep wet wipes and paper towels handy for cleanup.
Keep a Clear Window Seat
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No matter the season, body heat inside the bus is sure to fog up the windows. In winter, thick condensation can inhibit your visibility and create a safety problem. To avoid dangerous fogging, circulate cool air throughout the bus by cracking the driver's side window and the back windows by 4 to 5 inches.
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Blow the Whistle
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Noise inside the school bus can be deafening. If you're driving to or from a field trip or special event, the chatter is sure to be extra-loud. Try wearing a coach's whistle around your neck. When the noise is so loud it becomes distracting, or if a certain voice can be detected over all others, blow the whistle. You'll catch everyone's attention and quiet them down immediately.
Know Your Bus
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In an emergency, know every accessible exit on the bus including rear swinging doors, collapsible windows and roof hatch. Also know where fire extinguishers, face masks and first aid kits are located. If your school or district requires it, lead safety drills several times per academic term to keep emergency procedures fresh in passengers' minds.
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References
- Photo Credit school bus image by Lombok from Fotolia.com
