With Carnival approaching, revelers must pay extra attention to enjoy the party safely, preserving their health, well-being and safety. The time is for fun, but you must be careful not to fall for scams or become a victim of theft.
THE Brazil Agency presents some tips for revelers to have safe fun amid the blocks, trios, marching bands and other games, helping to maintain the rhythm until Ash Wednesday (18).
The first tip is: make it a priority to leave your car at home. Use public transport, walk or use other means to get around. After all, in addition to difficulties in finding a place to park, leaving the car at home reduces the chances of an accident occurring with the vehicle.
For those who are going to use their car at Carnival, the most important thing is: if you drink, don’t drive. Always find out about the route to be taken, as changes in traffic are common.
Amidst the revelry and dancing, you need to keep your body hydrated. Therefore, it is important to drink water. If possible, also consume coconut water, natural and isotonic juices, which also help the body to replenish mineral salts.
If you are going to drink alcoholic beverages, the first tip is moderation. Alcohol is metabolized mainly by the liver. Excess can cause acute and systemic intoxication: the famous hangover, which includes dehydration, tiredness and headache. The idea is not to deprive yourself, but to be cautious, as overdoing it can cause damage to the body.
Another tip is to be careful when buying drinks. Always look for a reliable place. It is important to make sure that the packages are sealed when purchasing them from street vendors.
Security
Prioritize places that are safe, with police and the presence of the Fire Department. Avoid walking in deserted places or being alone. Stay close to people you know and arrange meeting points if you lose your friends.
If you are going to play during the day, use sunscreen. Some accessories – hats, scarves and sunglasses – also help with protection. Choose closed, non-slip shoes, which provide greater stability and can prevent a fall. Cushioned insoles can also soften the impact of hours of partying and improve balance.
Also take strategic breaks, look for a place to give your body a rest.
Do not wear valuable jewelry, watches and accessories, including those with sentimental value that may attract attention. In case of robbery, do not react. Try to remain calm and deliver what the criminal asks.
Scams
In the face of crowds, it is common for people to fall for some scams related to paying by card or cell phone, causing a lot of pain and headaches and financial losses. Therefore, the recommendation is not to take objects of great value, including wallet and cell phone.
Give preference to carrying cash to make payments. If this is not possible, pay close attention when using the card. After all, one of the most common scams is card exchanging. In this type of scam, whoever applies pays attention to the password entered by the customer and exchanges the card for another.
When transacting with Pix or card, you need to pay extra attention. In these cases, before making any payment via Pix or card, the recommendation is to check everything calmly. Checking the value of the transaction, confirming the name of the recipient and observing the machine are attitudes that help to avoid erroneous charges and scams that are quite common at crowded events such as Carnival.
Revelers should avoid taking cell phones and credit cards to Carnival events Photo: Rovena Rosa/Agência Brasil
If you are going to take your cell phone, make sure that the device has a 100% charged battery, and that there is a connection at the location. It is also recommended to do the backup of the data. It is important to use the home screen lock, facial/digital biometrics to access the cell phone and applications. Activate automatic screen lock.
Card
If you need to take your cell phone, don’t keep it in your hand. If you leave home with a credit or debit card, avoid giving the card to the seller as much as possible. An important tip is to store your belongings in safe places such as money bags, fanny packs, bags with a zipper or other type of closure, always worn on the front of the body.
According to the 2025 Brazilian Public Security Yearbook, Brazil recorded more than 900,000 cell phones stolen last year, with 498,516 thefts and 419,232 robberies. Many of these incidents were concentrated during the carnival period, a time when crowds facilitate the action of criminals.
One tip is to use the Celular Seguro App, a federal government tool for instant remote blocking of the device and banking applications. the application can be downloaded here.
Cell phone with insurance
Another possibility is to take out insurance for the device, which offers, among other possibilities, coverage against theft, theft (simple and qualified), accidental drops, screen breakage and liquid damage. Quick repairs and device replacement can also be arranged.
It is also possible to take out specific policies or coverage extensions for damages and losses during the festival days. Some of these modalities can be contracted online.
Data from the General Insurance Federation (FenSeg) indicate that only 4% of the approximately 10 million smartphones in the country have insurance, leaving a base of 167 million users vulnerable.
For the technical director of studies and regulatory relations at the National Confederation of General Insurance, Private Pension and Life, Supplementary Health and Capitalization Companies (Cnseg), Alexandre Leal, good planning is essential to avoid disruptions and ensure that the party is enjoyed to its fullest.
“Carnival is one of the greatest expressions of Brazilian culture and usually mobilizes millions of people on trips, parties and street events. During this period, planning and adopting preventive measures help to reduce risks and avoid inconveniences, including financial ones, that can compromise the enjoyment of the festivities. The adoption of preventive practices and knowledge about forms of protection contribute to ensuring that Carnival can be enjoyed with greater safety and tranquility”, he said.
