Carnival Safety Tips
The Carnival season is already upon us. Some of us are getting heavily involved in the activities such as visiting the pan yards, Carnival fetes, Panorama and other competitions. Even as we look forward to an enjoyable time, we should always be aware that there are persons out there who use this season to engage in illegal activities. These activities will range from the minor such as pick pocketing, to not so minor such as car theft and house breaking to the very serious which include physical bodily harm and sexually related crimes.
Here are a few reminders you should consider during the carnival period:
When attending parties and other activities you are reminded that you should:
- Wear minimal jewellery.
- Travel in groups to and from activities.
- Not carry around or display large amounts of money.
- Not have wallets and change purses visible.
- Not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended.
- Pre-plan transport arrangements and designate an alcohol free driver.
Parents and guardians are reminded that their children should:
- All wear identification cards bearing their name, name of parent/guardian, address and telephone number.
- Not be left unsupervised at home.
- Not be left in the charge of strangers.
- Not use public conveniences unless an adult accompanies them.
- Not accept food or drink from strangers.
- Not be taken to fetes, calypso tents and other adult shows.
When leaving your households you are reminded that you should:
- Ensure that you secure your premises.
- Secure all ladders and other implements in a locked room.
- Notify the police if you are going to be away for long periods.
- Ensure that the property is illuminated at night.
- Be observant when returning home, especially at night.
When driving to fetes and other activities you are reminded that you should:
Remember your security is not in the hands of the Military or the State Police. Your security is in your own hands. |
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Remember it is an offense to:
- Go through a RED LIGHT even at nights.
- Travel in open trays of pick up vans and trucks.
Car Safety Tips:
- Leave your house with the understanding that there will be other people, like you, who’ll want to park their cars in the best possible spot, i.e. in a secure car park, beneath a street light or in close proximity to the fete’s location. Get to any fete no later than 10:00 pm to secure a good spot.
- Remove all items, even plastic bags, from view. Place anything that would attract the attention of a passer-by in your vehicle’s trunk or remove them before you leave your house.
- If the face of your car’s deck is removable, do so. Place it in the glove compartment or somewhere else where it cannot be seen.
- Ensure your car’s alarm system is working properly. Check your alarm’s batteries during the season. Improve your car’s security by having an immobilizer or a state-of-the-art alarm system fitted.
- Secure those 17” rims by purchasing a set of lock nuts. Although modern-day thieves have done their research and possibly thought up sophisticated carjacking methods, lock nuts and other similar items can prove to be great deterrents.
- Do not walk away from your car without activating your alarm. Sometimes, in the heat of the action, we forget simple things. While, in most instances, the alarm will activate by itself, the doors sometimes remain open, so that an intruder may be able to open the doors effortlessly, even with the blaring sound of the triggered alarm. He can simply pretend to be having problems with the alarm and get away with the act!
- It’s Carnival in T&T. After the season, it all goes back to normal. Secure your ride, you’ll need it beyond Carnival!