Parents must prioritise child safety during Carnival season

As Trinidad and Tobago enters the height of the Carnival season, the Children’s Authority is reminding parents and guardians that child safety must remain a top priority, particularly as outdoor festivities increase.

Speaking on Altos, Case Management Officer Quacy Prosper warned that while Carnival is a time of celebration, it also presents heightened risks for children if adequate supervision is not maintained.

“Christmas tends to be more home-based, but Carnival is largely outdoor festivities,” Prosper explained. “You want to be able to teach your children various things that will help them to stay close to you and, more importantly, stay safe during this season.”

Neglect remains the most common concern

According to Prosper, the most prevalent form of abuse identified by the Authority during this period is neglect, which can expose children to far more serious dangers.

“What the Authority recognises is that the main type of abuse that we see during this type of season—and even beyond the season—is neglect,” he said. “And what that does is open the door for other types of abuse such as physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.”

He cautioned against the common practice of leaving children at home unsupervised while adults attend Carnival events.

“It is against the law to leave children under the age of 18 home by themselves without adult supervision,” Prosper stated. “A lot of parents think that a 15-year-old might be mature enough to look after younger siblings, but that may not necessarily be the case.”

He added that unsupervised children may leave the home without permission, increasing the risk of harm. “This leaves the possibility for so many other types of abuse to take place,” he said.

Risks increase when children are unsupervised

Prosper emphasised that children left alone—either at home or in public spaces—may be exposed to serious threats. “When children are outside and there is no knowledge of where they are, someone from the outside could easily inflict harm on them,” he warned. “It could involve abduction, grooming or inappropriate touching.”

He stressed that while children should be educated about safety, responsibility begins with adults. “It is 100 per cent the parents’ responsibility,” Prosper said.

Advice for Carnival outings

For parents who choose to take children to Carnival events—whether as spectators or participants—Prosper outlined several practical safety measures. He recommended that parents first have clear discussions with their children.

“Make sure your child is aware of their name, date of birth, age and parental information, especially contact numbers and address,” he advised.

He also suggested the use of identification tags or badges. “A name tag or identifying badge on the child can help them seek assistance, particularly from a police officer, if they become separated,” he said.

Children should also be taught how to recognise police officers or other authority figures who can help them in an emergency.

Safety during camps, beaches, and outings

Even for families not participating directly in Carnival festivities, vigilance remains essential. “The number one advice the Authority would give is to ensure that you are monitoring your child,” Prosper said. “Your eyes should be on your child 24/7.”

For children attending camps or group activities, parents are encouraged to know the facilitators and maintain reliable contact.

“If your child is going off to a camp, you want to know all the leaders and facilitators so that you can easily have contact with your child,” he noted.

He added that even open spaces such as beaches carry risks if children are not closely supervised.

“If you are not directly looking at the child, there must be a trusted adult supervising them, because abuse can happen in open areas as well,” Prosper cautioned.

Reporting concerns

Parents and members of the public seeking guidance or wishing to report concerns can access information via the Children’s Authority website, which can be found through online search. Reports can also be made directly through the Authority’s hotline numbers 996 or 820-1414. “You can call us and we will be able to assist you,” Prosper said.

As Carnival approaches, the Children’s Authority urges families to celebrate responsibly, reminding the nation that ensuring children’s safety must never take a back seat to the festivity.

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