The Red Cross began the Safe Holidays program, providing 120 mobile bases around the country to respond to the increasing number of tourists during the holidays.

This year's seven-day Catholic celebration begins on Palm Sunday, March 24, commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and ends on Sunday, March 31, commemorating Jesus' resurrection, known as Easter Sunday.

"During this week, we have bases near rivers, beaches, and mountains," the volunteer forces stated in a statement. 

Permanent paramedics and volunteers will staff the camps around the clock. Rescuers are prepared to deal with a variety of emergencies during the holidays, including road accidents, people intoxicated, water-related accidents, and people stranded among other types of cases.

The Easter operation will involve over 3,600 paramedics and volunteers, as well as 200 emergency and rescue vehicles, over 150 roadside stations, over 130 lifeguard towers on beaches, and mobile bases across the country.

To avoid emergencies during their vacations, officials encourage travelers to take extra precautions including:

• Ensure that you are physically and psychologically prepared for extreme activities.

• Always use sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and an SPF of 50 or higher. 

• When driving, familiarize yourself with the local road laws to avoid being stranded in any situation. 

•  Always avoid intoxicated driving.

• Wear appropriate attire and shoes for outdoor activities such as hiking.

• Never let children swim unsupervised.

Red Cross statistics show that paramedics responded to over 501,000 emergencies in 2023.

Last week, the Ministry of Public Security announced the increase of Traffic Police officers along the roads during the holidays. Officers will be patrolling popular tourist spots such as volcanoes, beaches, camping centers, rivers and shop centers and border control stations.

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What should tourists do to avoid accidents during any holiday break? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com