At least one individual died, and four others, including a 4-year-old girl, were wounded on Sunday night in New Orleans following a shooting along the Krewe of Bacchus Parade route. The incident occurred during the lead-up to Mardi Gras, near the intersection of St. Charles Avenue and Terpsichore Street. While a person died due to gunshot wounds, four others, including a minor, suffered injuries from the stampede caused by the attendees running in fear after hearing gunshots. 

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This awful incident makes us wonder how to sustain our children’s safety at crowded gatherings such as the Mardi Gras festivals. Although it’s primarily the officials’ duty to manage the crowd and maintain attendees’ safety, there’s a lot we can do to make sure no harm threatens our children. 

Keep Children Safe at Crowded Gatherings 

To sustain children’s safety at crowded gatherings, parents and guardians should be aware of their surroundings and be mindful of any suspicious activity. As a parent, you should make sure your children remain close and have an adult that they can go to in case of an emergency. Most important of all, before attending any crowded gathering, ensure that the necessary security measures are in place to protect all attendees. 

When attending a crowded gathering, keep these tips in mind: 

• Always remain aware of your surroundings, and be mindful of any suspicious activity.  
• Keep your child close to you and have a designated adult they can go to in case of an emergency.  
• Make sure to check in with your child regularly. 
• Teach your child to stay away from strangers.  
• Make sure your child has a way to contact you in case of an emergency.  
• Ensure that the necessary security measures are in place to protect all attendees.  
• Make sure your child is wearing bright-colored clothing to make them easier to spot in a crowd. 
• Teach your child to identify safe places in case of an emergency.  
• Have a plan in place in case you get separated from your child.  
• Have conversations with your children about the importance of staying safe in crowds. 

Don’t Compromise Safety 

To avoid crowded gatherings where protecting children is difficult, you can try spending the holidays and festivals with family and friends. If you have small children and are concerned about their safety in crowded gatherings, you can choose to celebrate Mardi Gras in small family gatherings instead. You can still enjoy all of Mardi Gras’s festivities while ensuring your children’s safety. 

In conclusion, the horrific shooting on the parade route in New Orleans serves as an unfortunate reminder of the importance of protecting our children in crowded gatherings. There are a few steps that parents and guardians can take to ensure their children’s safety. However, as an alternative to overcrowded gatherings, parents can celebrate Mardi Gras and other holidays with family and friends in smaller, more intimate settings.