Red Cross Safety Tips for Parade-Goers

Red Cross Volunteers and Partners Provide First Aid During Carnival Season

Red Cross offers Safety Tips for Parade-Goers

New Orleans, LA – February 4, 2019 – The American Red Cross, in partnership with the New Orleans Health Department and the New Orleans Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is hosting first aid tents along the parade routes beginning this Friday, February 22 through Mardi Gras, March 5. 

“We are pleased to offer our support to the community, in partnership with New Orleans EMS VIGOR program and the Health Department’s Medical Reserve Corp,” says Joshua Joachim, chief executive for the Louisiana Red Cross. “Through providing basic first aid to some of the most populated areas along the parade routes, our volunteers and partners can help ensure that everyone celebrating carnival stays safe, while relieving some of the burden placed on our healthcare first responders during this busy time of year.”

Red Cross volunteers are trained in CPR and first aid, and will assist the ill and injured in coordination with first responders. Trained Red Cross volunteers will work with our partners to manage each of the stations positioned along the parade routes.

First aid stations will be available on the following corners along St. Charles Avenue during the parades list below: Canal Street, Napoleon Avenue, Washington Avenue, Felicity Street, and at Lee’s Circle. Additionally, first aid stations will be available at Orleans Avenue and North Hennessy Street, as well as North Carrolton Avenue and Bienville Street on Saturday, March 2. 

Friday, Feb. 22: Oshun, Cleopatra — 4p.m. to midnight

Saturday, Feb. 23: Pontchartrain, Choctaw, Freret, Sparta, Pygmalion— 11a.m. to midnight

Sunday, Feb. 24: Femme Fatale, Carrollton, King Arthur, Alla — 10 a.m. to midnight

Wednesday, Feb. 27: Druids, Nyx — 4 p.m. to midnight 

Thursday, Feb. 28: Babylon, Chaos, Muses — 4 p.m. to midnight

Friday, March 1: Hermes, d’Etat, Morpheus — 4 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, March 2: Iris, Tucks, Endymion — 10 a.m. to midnight

Sunday, March 3: Okeanos, Mid-City, Thoth, Bacchus— 10 a.m. to midnight

Monday, March 4:  Proteus, Orpheus— 3 p.m. to midnight 

Tuesday, March 5: Zulu, Rex, Elks, Crescent — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

In addition to providing hands-on care to carnival goers, the American Red Cross also offers the following safety tips for those attending the parades:

Before going to the parade:

• Prepare children for the parade by making them use the restroom.

• Put your name, address and phone number on a piece of paper and put it in your child’s sock.

• Teach your children to identify the police if lost. 

• Bring water and stay hydrated. 

Attending the parade: 

• Don't wander down dark alleys or low-trafficked streets. 

• Travel in groups to and from parking spots and be aware of your surroundings. Leave nothing of value in plain sight in your car.

• Do not jump over the police barricades. Ask an officer for permission to cross from one side of the street to the other. The barricades are there for protection.

• Do not bring a big purse to the parade. Put your personal items in your front pockets. Men should carry their wallets in their front pockets.

• Stand a safe distance from the floats.

• Do not run alongside the floats.

• Do not follow the bands.

• Do not throw beads at the riders on the float.

• Do not put someone on your shoulders if you or that person is intoxicated. Stay away from the street or curb.

• Secure ladders to the ground. Do not place ladders in the intersection.

• Keep track of how many drinks you have consumed. Do not drive if you have consumed alcohol.

• Do not accept drinks from strangers. 

Lost children

• If you get separated from your child, notify the police immediately. There will be several “lost children sites” on the parade route. Find a police officer and provide the child’s name and a good physical description.

Medical problems

• You should carry with you any pertinent medical information regarding your health. This will help the paramedics analyze your medical condition should you get sick on the parade routes.

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About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.