Carnival: No alcohol for children and young people

For the upcoming carnival season, especially the Rose Monday parade, the city of Bocholt is once again focussing on the issue of underage drinking and reminding everyone to keep an eye on the protection of minors amidst all the hustle and bustle.

An urgent appeal is made to all adults to pay more attention to the children and young people around them. This includes the particular responsibility of innkeepers, vendors, carnival procession organisers and parents. They are called upon not to serve alcohol to minors, to keep an eye out for young people under the influence of alcohol and to take appropriate action if necessary.

The Youth Protection Act sets clear limits:

• No supply or consumption of alcoholic beverages to children under the age of 16; a minimum age of 18 applies to spirits
  
  
• The consumption of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and e-shishas, in public is only permitted from the age of 18

Why is alcohol particularly dangerous for children and young people?

• Alcohol affects both the organs and the mental state and can lead to damage if consumed in excess
  
  
• Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol due to their development
  
  
• Due to their lower body weight, the alcohol content in the blood of children and adolescents increases more quickly
  
  
• Alcohol poisoning with serious health consequences can occur even with small amounts

Parents in particular have a responsibility to protect their children from the consequences of alcohol consumption. They should ensure that their children do not go to the parade under the influence of alcohol and do not carry alcohol with them.

The Department of Public Order also urgently appeals to all carnival revellers to refrain from using glass containers during the Rose Monday parade. Broken glass not only increases the amount of rubbish, but can also lead to injuries, especially for children collecting sweets.

Small bottles also pose a risk after the end of the procession, as they can get caught under the tyres of the cleaning vehicles and become dangerous projectiles. Hence the urgent appeal: support the emergency services by leaving glass containers at home!

Emergencies will also be attended to this year in the Malteser tent on the Gasthausplatz. It serves as a contact point for people in need of help or missing children.