CARNIVAL SAFETY TIPS.

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is possibly the most anticipated event in our nation's Calendar. However every year concerns about women's safety are raised. Clearly entrenched in our minds is the name Asami Nagakiya.  Asami was the Japanese pannist who was found brutally murdered at the Queens Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Ash Wednesday last year. Port of Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee was forced to resign following outrage over controversial statement he made soon after Asami's death. This death occurred despite the additional police, army and other security personnel located on our streets during the Carnival period. In this regard, there remains the need for individuals to take personal steps to ensure their safety during this festive period. 

When attending fetes women should:

• Avoid carrying and displaying large sums of money.
• Arrange transport with a designated driver who is not drinking alcohol.
• Avoid wearing excessive Jewellery. 
• Avoid accepting drinks from strangers or leaving drinks unattended.
• Move around in groups
• Avoid leaving fetes with strangers.
• Avoid boarding strange vehicles.
• Do not walk alone in dark areas.
• Tell a responsible person where you are going and with whom.
• Ensure that you carry sufficient funds to return home, in the event that you are unable to do so via your designated driver (vex money).
• Have sufficient funds on your mobile phone. 

Friends party during Carnival celebrations.

Parents and Guardians should exercise the following precautionary measures:

• Ensure that your child/children are wearing an identification tag with his/her name, as well as your name, address and contact number.
• Remind your children not to speak to strangers.
• Avoid at all times leaving your children at home unsupervised by an responsible adult.
• When taking your children to participate or view Carnival celebrations, ensure that you explain the size of crowd and what they should do in the event that at some point, they become separated from you. For example, you should instruct them to look for a uniformed Police Officer and ask them for help with locating you.
• Remind your children not to accept eats and drinks from strangers.
• Desist from taking your kids to fetes and any other adults shows.

When driving to and from fetes you should:

• Desist from drinking and driving. 
• Park your vehicle in a secure car park.
• Avoid picking up hitch hikers.
• Always keep all doors locked and windows up.
• Avoid leaving valuables exposed in your vehicle.
• Heed all traffic signs and avoid breaching any.
• Have keys in hand when approaching your vehicle.
• Notify immediately the police whenever you observe any strange activities being conducted around your vehicle.

When leaving your households you should:

• Avoid leaving keys in mailboxes or under door mats.
• Ensure that you secure your premises.
• Emphasise to children who remain at home, the importance of locking all relevant doors when they enter.
• Be observant when returning home, especially at night.
• Ensure that the property is well lit at night.