Easter Safety Reminders for Land and Sea Ventures
As the Easter holiday approaches, the Belize Police Department and the Belize Port Authority are sharing safety tips for those traveling on the highways or heading to the cayes. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Marion Ali, Reporting
It’s the longest holiday of the year and many working people see it as a mini holiday to spend some quality time away from home with the family or with other relatives or friends they haven’t seen in a while. For some parents who must work, sending their children who are on Easter break ahead to be with relatives or friends is sometimes an option. But that brings with it a degree of risks, especially if the children end up unsupervised. Belize Police Department’s Communications Director, ASP Fitzroy Yearwood urges families to keep a sharp eye on the little ones.
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department
“We see an increase of visitors on Caye Caulker and San Pedro during their Easter break especially. Everybody wants to – because you know this is considered the dry weather – the heat is on. People want to go to the sea, the cayes; people want to go to the rivers. If you know that these swimming places or waterways don’t have lifeguards and you are not there, don’t send your child unattended. We know we have the various swimming pools that you and go and pay a fee and then you can use that facility. Do not send your children on their own.”
If you decide to keep your children with you and prefer to take the entire family for the four days, Yearwood warned against making public statements of your departure.
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood
“We don’t want you to give the thieves that opportunity to have a field day. You go to – let’s say Cancun for five days. They stay in your house for four, five nights. And they leave when they know you’re coming back because of your Facebook posts or maybe your WhatsApp status. I cannot control how you post your pictures, but if you know that your home will be unattended, I’m encouraging you not to post these things about your – what’s it – your location.”
And if you have your own boat and are thinking about taking your family to the cayes for the Easter holidays, Operations Manager at the Belize Port Authority, Michael Jenkins says there are six elements that you need to check before venturing out to sea.
Michael Jenkins
Michael Jenkins, Operations Manager, Belize Port Authority
“You must look at your hull, make sure that your hull is intact, it’s structurally sound. You have to look at your machinery. Is your machinery working properly? Do you have enough gas to go out on your destination? You have to look at your equipment, your compass, your lights on your vessels. Do you have communication? Those are things that are important. You have to look at how you load your vessel. Is it properly loaded? Do you have sufficient manpower to man that vessel? Because if you only have one captain and no help you might end up in problems. And lastly, improper loading – you have to make sure that you balance your vessel correctly.”
Jenkins says that the Port Authority will have increased personnel checking the water taxi terminals during the Easter to ensure that all safety protocols are adhered to.
Marion Ali for News Five.
