Latest news with #safetyguidelines
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line Shuts Down Backlash Over Rules on Music and Curfews
Carnival Cruise Line Shuts Down Backlash Over Rules on Music and Curfews originally appeared on Parade. Carnival Cruise Line is addressing backlash over recent onboard safety guidelines that some online critics have argued disproportionately impact Black passengers. In recent weeks, passengers have shared formal notices from Carnival outlining what the company describes as a renewed commitment to onboard safety and 'respectful behavior.' 📌New Rules on Carnival Cruises targeting Loud Music, People, Hazardous Fans, Children on the Loose and More😅 @KABBFOX29 @News4SA — Darian Trotter-Thomas (@DarianTrotter) June 7, 2025 The rules cover curfews for minors, marijuana restrictions, and bans on Bluetooth speakers and handheld fans. Minors under 18 must now be out of public areas by 1 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult in their party or participating in a supervised teen program. Handheld fans — particularly the non-battery kind often used in viral dance trends — are also prohibited due to the loud 'clack' sound, which Carnival says could cause injuries in crowded areas. In a statement, the company emphasized that the rules are intended to promote a more peaceful environment, not to signal any form of cultural erasure. In fact, many of these policies have been in place for years — as explained in a Feb. 2023 video outlining what's appropriate while onboard their ships. "Unfortunately, certain media outlets have blown this matter out proportion," Matt Lupoli, Senior Manager of Public Relations at Carnival Cruise Line, told Parade. "We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options and for the last several years we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior,' he added. Still, some passengers remain skeptical. As reported by The Root, several Black cruisers say they've noticed the quiet disappearance of hip-hop and rap music on board. DJs, they claim, have declined requests and stuck to more sanitized playlists. For the record: Carnival has not confirmed any official ban on music genres. In a statement to the Daily Dot, a spokesperson said their DJs "play a wide variety of music, including hip-hop.' As of June 2025, these are the new rules Carnival Cruise has implemented. — The Daily Sneed™ (@Tr00peRR) July 4, 2025 The backlash has been especially sharp on social media, where frustrated passengers — some of whom have canceled future trips — have weighed in. 'When people book Carnival, they know what they're booking,' said TikTok user @Kiarajaxn, who recently canceled a cruise she and her friends had planned to celebrate a 30th birthday. 'They know they are booking a 'turn up' cruise. Period. Everybody on there is looking to have a good time, party, and have fun.' 'Black women are mad, saying Carnival Cruises no longer want them on their boats, banning black music,' one tweet read, highlighting reactions on TikTok. 'Carnival Cruise you got it down bad,' added TikTok user @Msvanillascar. 'I don't know how your ticket sales are gonna be since you [changed] the rules and regulations because you don't like how certain people like to turn up. You got it down bad.' 'Carnival cruise said we aint playing no more rap music,' another commenter wrote on X. 'Tired of black folk is what they are saying.' Not everyone is upset, however. Some commenters have defended the changes. "It's not a crackdown on a color its a crackdown on people's behavior," one person shared, according to The Root. 'What's racist about asking ppl to act right?' another wrote. Ultimately, the fallout may depend not just on the guidelines themselves, but on how consistently Carnival enforces them. For now, Bluetooth speakers are banned, fans are silenced, and curfews are in full effect. Carnival Cruise Line Shuts Down Backlash Over Rules on Music and Curfews first appeared on Parade on Jul 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.


Khaleej Times
05-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Fujairah records 27 drowning cases in 2024; beachgoers urged to follow safety tips
Fujairah rescue teams have saved 26 individuals, including Emiratis and expatriates, from drowning last year. Despite their swift interventions, however, one fatal drowning was recorded in 2024, according to official figures. With the summer season in full swing and beachgoers flocking to coastal areas, authorities are reminding the public to prioritise safety. This call fro vigilance comes as the authorities have noted a rise in incidents — six more cases were reported in 2024 compared to the previous year. Many of these involved swimmers in unmonitored areas, the lack of life jackets, and boat equipment failures. Underscoring the need for continued public vigilance, the rescue teams noted: 'We're proud to have saved 26 lives, but even one life lost is too many. The sea is unpredictable — taking precautions before entering the water can mean the difference between life and death.' To help reduce risk, authorities have issued key safety guidelines for beach and boating enthusiasts: Always wear life jackets when boating or swimming offshore Avoid unmonitored or prohibited swimming areas Check marine weather updates before heading out Never leave children unsupervised near water ' Safety begins with preparation' Meanwhile, as part of ongoing safety efforts, the 'Sailing Safely' initiative by the Fujairah Fishermen's Association continues to provide free safety checks and preventive maintenance for registered fishing boats in the emirate to minimise accidents at sea. Rescue teams stressed that many incidents could have been avoided, often caused by preventable mistakes such as overloading boats, skipping regular maintenance, or failing to ventilate fuel systems properly. 'We're ready to respond in any emergency, but true safety begins with preparation,' said an official. 'With summer activity picking up, we urge everyone to respect the sea and make smart, safe decisions before heading out.' To further enhance public safety, Fujairah authorities confirmed that increased coastal patrols and awareness campaigns will continue throughout the summer months to help protect lives and prevent water-related incidents.


Arab News
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
Pakistan's Punjab issues solar panel installation guidelines following accidents
ISLAMABAD: The disaster management authority in Pakistan's most populous Punjab province on Wednesday issued new guidelines for the installation of solar systems, citing that over 70 percent of accidents related to solar panels were reported during a thunderstorm last month. Thunderstorms killed at least 21 people and injured more than 100 others in Punjab late last month as moist currents penetrated upper parts of Pakistan, according to national and provincial disaster management authorities. Earlier this week, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a fresh alert for rain and strong, dusty winds across the province from June 2 to June 5. 'During the thunderstorm on May 24, there were 124 small and large accidents in Punjab,' PDMA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain told Arab News. 'When this was analyzed, it was revealed that over 70 percent of the accidents have been caused by solar panels or related structures,' he added. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said new guidelines and a regulatory framework were prepared by stakeholders, including the province's energy department and the local government department. 'These instructions are aligned with the national framework provided by the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), and include essential safety protocols, installation standards and the responsibilities of certified installers,' Kathia explained. According to the guidelines seen by Arab News, the PDMA has directed users to procure the services of AEDB-certified installers to ensure a professional solar system design and so that the panels are properly mounted, sealed and structurally reinforced. Along with other technical details, the PDMA stresses people to use wind-rated mounting systems attached to mountings by stainless steel nut bolts. The authority directs that these bolts be fastened using stainless steel spring washers. It also says people should consider windstorm-safe anchors or extra brackets in the province's regions prone to storms. 'The mountings itself should be properly secured with base/floor to ensure it can withstand windstorms and other climatic vagaries,' the document stated. Kathia said only professionals approved by the AEDB will be authorized to install solar energy systems. He said this move was aimed at ensuring technical standards were maintained and risks associated with faulty or unregulated installations were reduced. 'In addition, all structures across Punjab that may be vulnerable to future damage are being surveyed by the respective deputy commissioners,' the PDMA official said. He added strict compliance would be ensured in close coordination with district administrations to avoid such accidents in the future. Khalil Ahmed, owner of a solar installation company in Punjab's provincial capital Lahore, supported the PDMA's decision. Ahmed said people often hire non-professional installers to save a small amount of money, putting both their systems and safety at risk. 'Ensuring that only AEDB-certified professionals handle solar installations is not just a matter of compliance, it's a matter of public safety,' he told Arab News. Proper mounting, structural reinforcement, and weatherproofing are essential to prevent accidents and protect both lives and property, he added.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Burn ban lifted in Lake County
Like neighboring counties in central Florida, Lake County has also lifted its recent burn ban. Lake County Fire Rescue implements burn bans when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index rises above a 500-rating threshold. The county's rating has been below 500 for the five consecutive days, therefore, the burn ban may end. The burn ban was implemented on March 25 as a precautionary measure to prevent accidental fires due to drought conditions in the area. However, the recent rain has lowered the fire risk significantly now that the KBDI is below the 500 threshold. Lake County residents are still advised to be careful and follow all safety guidelines when burning debris or other materials outdoors. Guidelines include constantly monitoring fires, keeping them contained in a fire pit or other fire-resistant container, and keeping them near a water source in case of an emergency. Visit the burn bans section of the Lake County website for more information. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.


The Sun
17-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Five devices you must NEVER plug into an extension cord – including common summer hazards
EXTENSION leads are helpful pieces of kit - but there are certain devices you must avoid plugging into them. A pretty good rule of thumb is to avoid plugging in any electronics that are constantly on - and anything that could get wet. 4 4 Major appliances The average extension cord isn't built to handle the kind of electrical load put out by large appliances, such as fridges, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers. At best, you could risk damaging the appliance - which can be an expensive mistake. At worst, you could risk a fire caused by overheating - which could be even more costly. Small appliances Even small appliances can be a cause for concern when it comes to plugging into an extension cord. Some of the more compact gadgets, like toasters and toaster ovens, can pack quite a punch, using more power than you'd expect. Microwaves are the same, and typically use more power than the average cable can handle. But households should also be wary of mixers, blenders, air fryers, and waffle makers. These could overload an extension cord - particularly if there are several gadgets plugged in - and lead to a fire. 4 Air conditioners & space heaters While households may be pulling the air conditioner units out of storage, it should be noted they belong in a wall outlet to avoid any overheating risks with a power strip. Space heaters are more dangerous in an extension cord, as they draw a higher amount of power and often exceed the capacity of a standard cable. Power strips are generally intended for low-power devices like computers or lamps, not high-wattage appliances. Major US Phone Carriers Warn of Imminent Price Hikes Amid Tariff War 4 Outdoor electrical devices During summer, power strips can be tempting to use outside for outdoor devices. But doing so can pose hazards relating to heat and weather. Overheating from coiled cords, exposure to moisture, and damage from sun and wind can increase the risk of fire or electrical shock. To avoid this, it's important to use outdoor-rated cords and protect connections from the rain and sun. Surge protectors Households are brimming with electronic gadgets these days - and while it might be tempting to plug an extension cable into another to maximise the number of outlets, this is dangerous. Experts have warned against the 'daisy chaining' of multiple power strips and surge protectors. 'Daisy chaining', as it is known, comes with serious risks, including overheating, fire hazards, electric shocks and voided warranties on your devices. Each power strip is rated for a specific electrical load – how much power it can safely handle before it fails. But when you plug one power strip into another, they can exceed this capacity. The one closest to the wall outlet usually takes the hardest hit – meaning it's the one that is most likely to falter.