Mardi Gras is upon Mobile again and the city is offering tips on how to stay safe and also avoid some potential costly mistakes.

Towed vehicles

Towed vehicles will be taken to a temporary impound lot under I-10 off Monroe Street between northbound and southbound Water Street. The lot will be open until 11 p.m. each parade night. Vehicles not retrieved by that time will be moved to a permanent impound facility behind the Mobile Police Department’s Training Academy, 1251 Virginia St. To find out if your vehicle has been towed, call 251-208-1281.

The cost to retrieve a vehicle is $150. Most vehicles are towed because of parking violations. Non-parking areas will be designated by signage, including special gold Mardi Gras “No Parking” signs along the parade routes.

RV parking on the medians along Claiborne and Canal streets is prohibited. There is RV parking underneath I-10 at Canal and Water streets for a fee.

Lost children

Police emphasize that parents place an identity card in their child’s pocket in the evet they become separated from each other. The card should provide the name, address, telephone contact information and the name of a relative.

In the event parents and children are separated, children should be instructed to go to the nearest police station. Police will attempt to contact parents, and the children will be taken to Central Precinct at 55 N. Water St. until they can be reunited.

Call 311

Police are asking citizens not to call 911 or the Mobile Police Department’s non-emergency number for Mardi Gras information requests. Those requests should be addressed by dialing 311 — the city’s information line – or by visiting www.cityofmobile.org/services/311.

Other tips

*Attend parades in groups with family and friends.

*Glass containers are prohibited by city ordinance.

*Do not follow floats. Violators may be arrested.

*Do not throw any object in the direction of floats, band members or any parade participants. Violators may be arrested.

*Materials known as “Silly String” and “Snap & Pops” along with similar products are illegal. Possession of these products may result in arrest.

*Do not cross the barricades, as each officer will be carrying a ticket booth and will be using citations for the offense. The fine for crossing a barricade is $298.

*No underage drinking is allowed, and special undercover police will arrest violators.

*Choose a well-lit area for night parade viewing.

*Establish a post-parade meeting place for family and friends in case you become separated.

*Park vehicles in secure areas and do not leave valuables in plain sight. Utilize the trunk to store valuables.

*Pets are prohibited during the parades downtown.

*Skateboards and motorized scooters are prohibited.