It's been a very strange fall season with wet and cool weather in October and now dry and mild conditions this month.But, we all know old man winter is knocking at the door.News 12's Nathan Harrington brings us along as law enforcement teach area third graders about winter safety.This week marks winter hazard awareness week. And even though the forecast calls for sunshine and warm temperatures, it's never too early to educate kids about winter weather.Members of the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Emergency Management Department and county road department are traveling around the county this week talking to third graders about winter hazards.Today they stopped at Maple River Elementary in Minnesota Lake, and the main message was safety.Matthew Proehl says, "Watch out for snow plows. Why do you need to watch out for snowplows? Because they don't stop that fast."Abby Simon says, "Stay away from snowplows and don't build forts by the road."Kids learned that snowplows are on the roads to make things safer.But they also learned there are times when they can be very dangerous.Douglas Willaert says, "I only saw the top hats of the kids and I stopped, honked the horn until they got out of the way or I would have clipped them bad."Along with being safe while outside, safe driving habits are also important.While they aren't behind the wheel yet, these kids will be telling their parents to be safe during the winter.Matthew Proehl says, "There's some really bad spots you don't want to crash, like off a bridge."But emergency managers had winter survival kits for the kids to have, including a blanket, flashlight, and hand warmers.Just in case the worst does happen.Douglas Willaert says, "Their winter survival kits, these are the number one thing. I'll never forget my dad years ago, always there in our car, the survival kits. Everything was 'be prepared.'"And this group of third graders thinks they are.In Minnesota Lake, Nathan Harrington, News 12.