Carnival 2025

Alcohol is known to flow abundantly at carnival. To be able to celebrate with a clear conscience, the police urgently advise:

• Take care of how you will get home safely after celebrating!
• Keep your fingers off the wheel if you have been drinking alcohol! On carnival days, the police step up their traffic checks to take drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs off the road. If you show signs of being unfit to drive or are involved in a traffic accident, your driver's license can be revoked for as little as 0.3 per mille.
• Drivers under the influence of alcohol also run the risk of losing their driver's license and having to answer for it in criminal proceedings. Anyone who has to "get out" again after a night of drinking should not underestimate the "residual alcohol". This is immediately noticeable in a police check in the morning ...
• There is an absolute ban on alcohol for young drivers under the age of 21 and for new drivers who are still in their probationary period!
• Alcohol consumption is also an issue in youth protection. The police take part in youth protection checks during carnival and point out the most important rules in advance: "Schnapps" is an absolute taboo under the age of 18 - this also applies to mixed drinks. Anyone who "procures" drinks "containing spirits" for under-18s must expect to be fined. Beer and wine are permitted from the age of 16.

Criminals can take advantage of the exuberant atmosphere at carnivals by mixing knockout drops into the drinks of unsuspecting victims. In the case of girls and women, this is often done with the intention of abusing them afterwards. The colorless and odorless knockout drops first render the victim weak-willed and then unconscious. The perpetrators take advantage of this to take their victims to another location. After ingestion, nausea and dizziness often occur, as if the victim has had too much to drink. Initially, the victim can still talk and move normally, but is already easily manipulated or even rendered unconscious. After waking up from unconsciousness, the victim cannot remember what has happened or can only remember it vaguely and fragmentarily.

How to protect yourself:

• Do not leave open drinks unattended. Order and accept drinks yourself.
• Only accept drinks from strangers in sealed original bottles.
• Girlfriends should support each other, look out for each other and not let their drinks out of their sight.
• Caution and help are particularly necessary if the girlfriend suddenly feels sick and strangers want to take care of her or lead her out of the room

In the event of an emergency, what should you do?

• Drops can only be detected in blood and urine for a short time. In case of suspicion, always call the police (emergency number 110).
• If you experience acute symptoms, contact the emergency services immediately on 112.
• People who fear that they have been victims in the past can also contact the criminal investigation department on 02821 5040.

Sometimes harassment and physical altercations can occur after the end of a party, especially due to heavy drinking. Despite all the hilarity, everyone should protect themselves from conflict and harassment. Friends and acquaintances must also accept boundaries and may be rejected. It is crucial to react immediately in an emergency. This includes a confident demeanor and quick action if necessary. In a serious situation, it is important to ask others for help, to stand up for others yourself, but not to put yourself in danger.

• Invest the money for the last drink in a cab ride home
• Take care of each other. It's best to go in a group and try to keep an eye on each other throughout the evening.
• If you notice that a friend or acquaintance is particularly drunk, make sure they have a safe way home. Call a cab, for example.
• Resist harassment and unwanted physical contact - even with acquaintances. Be assertive and make it clear that you will not tolerate this behavior.

Even special apps for a safe way home are no substitute for the police. Only safety-conscious behavior and calling 110 immediately in an emergency can contribute to your protection.

We wish everyone a peaceful carnival season and lots of fun celebrating!