2024 Mardi Gras Safety Tips
February 05, 2024

As Mardi Gras approaches, please review these tips to help you stay safe at parades and events:
Parade Safety:
- Attend parades in groups and make sure everyone is accounted for, during and after.
- Walk on well-lit streets and don’t wander down empty streets or walk alone at night.
- Limit what you carry on your person (small amount of cash, ID, health insurance card, one credit card).
- Carry items in your front pockets, or if using a purse, carry it across your torso to discourage pickpockets.
- Stay behind barricades and listen to police and officials on the parade route.
- Don’t harass police horses or float riders.
Vehicle and Parking Safety:
- Lock your car and don’t leave the keys inside. Many car thefts and car burglaries occur because the vehicles are left unlocked and the keys/key fob are inside.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your car; this invites a break-in.
- Be cautious when using rideshare services. Confirm your driver’s name and vehicle type on the app and when the driver arrives, ask them “Who are you here for?� This helps ensure they are a legitimate driver and not someone posing as a driver to rob you.
- Only park in legal spaces. In New Orleans, don’t park along parade routes or in the French Quarter or you’ll get towed.
Alcohol Safety:
- For those who are 21 and older and plan to drink, please do so responsibly.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Always have a designated driver.
- Stay hydrated with water.
- Don’t accept drinks from strangers and do not allow strangers to handle your drinks.
For more safety tips, visit the ÃÛÌÒAPP Safety site.
Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras!


