January 29, 2020

The TTPS is urging parents and guardians to protect their children during the Carnival season

By Newsroom

The TTPS has issued some safety guildines to help parents and guardians protect their children during this Carnival season. 

The following safety tips were given during the TTPS Weekly Media Briefing.

If you are taking your children out this season, ensure that:
The ratio of adults to children is sufficient to ensure proper care and supervision while enjoying the festivities. We recommend 1 adult to 2 or 3 children.


Ensure that all children have name tags. Caution children against speaking to, taking food and drink items from, or going off with strangers. You and your children should know all the emergency numbers in the event that an emergency arises. These include the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Emergency Medical Service and Fire Service.
When driving, follow all rules in terms of the speed limit and ensure that all children are secured with the seat belt in their seats, and there are safety seats for toddlers.


When at public events children should not have personal electronic gadgets and other items which may distract and increase their vulnerability. Those items be secured at home.
Avoid sending children to withdraw cash from ATMs. They are softer targets for robberies and assault. Remember that you are prohibited by law from giving children alcoholic beverages and dangerous or recreational drugs.
Remember that it is not advisable to carry around large sums of money and expensive personal items, as they may make you an easy target.


If you are leaving the children at home this season, please take heed of the following:
Ensure that you know the persons to whom you are entrusting the care of your children; important questions to consider: Are they of a legal age to supervise children? Are they trustworthy? Are they capable?
Know the whereabouts of your children at all times. Ensure that all their activities are properly supervised. Please remember that a child only comes of age on their 18th birthday. Do not use video arcades, toy stores or movie theatres as babysitters. Predators are always looking for opportunities and unattended children are vulnerable.
Talk with your children about safety and security measures for the home. Do this regularly so that it becomes muscle memory for them. 


Important tips: children must not open the door for unidentified persons, children must not publish details of parents/guardians whereabouts on social media. Advise children to leave the house lights on at night; as this will deter intruders.

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