We commend both the Selma Fire Department and the Selma Police Department for hosting Railroad Safety Day at the Old Depot Museum Wednesday. It is important that local children are aware of the dangers when it comes to our railroads.

Too often, residents use the railroads as a shortcut. This is not only trespassing, but it is also extremely dangerous. Several incidents have occurred in the past months — including one death — that resulted from illegal railroad activity.

Rodney Houser, locomotive engineer for Norfolk Southern Railroad Company, advised children of the dangers of playing on the railroad tracks.

“The tracks can be slippery and we advise [everyone] to cross at the crossings,” Houser said, and pointed out that the tracks are private property, meaning walking on them is considered trespassing. “During the summer months we get a lot of kids that cross the tracks and it’s a hazard.”

Representatives from Norfolk Southern Railroad Company educated children on railroad safety at the depot museum while also encouraging other good safety habits — like wearing a seatbelt.

We applaud our local law enforcement for taking the time to teach children about safety in fun and innovative ways. Also, we encourage more events like this to be held throughout the city as children are out of school for summer break — a prime time for idle minds and dangerous activity.

We hope railroad safety is not just practiced one week out of the year, but every day.