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CAC Reminds Parents Of Basic Safety Measures For Children

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KINGSTON, Aug. 20 (JIS): As the new school year approaches, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is reminding parents of some basic safety measures that should be considered, in preparing children for back-to-school.
“While it is the role of the CAC to advise parents on how to get the best value for money, through proper planning and money management, it is equally important that we remind them of the important issue of the safety of their children,” Communications Specialist at the CAC, Dorothy Campbell, told
JIS News.

She said it is important that parents and guardians teach the children, especially the very young ones, about ways in which they can defend themselves and avoid incidence that may place them in dangerous or harmful situations.
Miss Campbell added that it is the parents’ responsibility to teach their children how to react and what actions to take during an incident.

“Parents should teach their children their addresses and telephone numbers. Teach them at home to dial family members…dial grandma and auntie at intervals,” she advised.

“Do not underestimate them at all…if you teach them safety tips, they will remember,” she emphasised.
Another point of consideration is how children should operate at school. The children must understand that they should not be left alone in a classroom and that they must walk in groups, not alone.

“Instruct them that if they see something suspicious on the playground to go to a teacher, an adult or scream or shout to get some attention,” the Communications Specialist said.
Important too, she continued, is that they learn “not to take rides from strangers, even if they tell them that you (the parent) sent them.”

Critical also, is that “parents should develop a good relationship with the child’s teacher, so that they will know exactly what you want them to do in case of an emergency,” Miss Campbell pointed out.

For the older children, “it is important for you to be present at the
Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) meetings,” she said.

“If you are not aware of what is happening with your child, or what is taking place at the school, you won’t be able to help them, and if the school is not aware of what is happening with you at home, they won’t be able to assist your child,” she added.

Miss Campbell recommended to parents the following basic safety tips as a guide towards a comprehensive safety plan:
• Teach your child his or her full names, that is, the parents’ names and the child’s own name. Do not use pet names, as this may confuse your child.
• Teach children the name of their street and full address.
• Take them on the route to and from school during the weekend. Point out important landmarks that are not likely to change.
• Have a specific person or persons pick up your child and establish a pattern of calling to report any changes in the arrangements. Introduce the person you know and trust to the classroom teacher. If someone else other than this person is going to pick up your child, inform the child, the school’s administrative office and his or her teacher.
• Write emergency information inside the child’s bag (not on the outside), and in certain books, including your contact numbers, address and any other important details, for example, the child’s allergies or special illness. Stitch it inside the bag if you can. Papers get lost but the bag should last for at least two semesters.
• Teach the child safe routes, the road code, how to cross the street using the pedestrian crossing, how to walk carefully, not running across the road, and facing oncoming traffic, and not to play in the road.
• Establish a time when your child should be at a particular destination. Call to ensure that he or she is there. Call on someone you trust to check on your child while you are away at work.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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