Festivals can be life-affirming, transcendent experiences. There are plenty of them to choose from, too.
But if you plan on attending a festival next summer, then there are a number of important safety tips worth bearing in mind. The festival environment often conceals an array of risks, and, if you’re going to have a positive experience, these risks will need to be appropriately managed.
Stay Hydrated and Manage Your Physical Health
If your body is not kept in good condition, then you might suffer from any number of physical health problems. When you’re moving around a lot at the height of summer, and you’re consuming alcohol at the same time, you leave yourself vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Make sure that you’re taking on plenty of fluids, and that you’ve packed an adequate supply of sunblock. A reusable bottle is among the most essential festival supplies.
Secure Valuables and Be Aware of Pickpockets
You’re probably going to be making your way through dense crowds, especially if you intend to head to the major stages. Don’t leave your phone or wallet in your back pocket, and keep essentials in a cross-body bag with a zip. If you aren’t carrying a lot of cash with you, then you’ll be able to limit your losses, even if you are targeted by pickpockets.
Plan Travel Safely and Watch Your Step
If you’re going to be walking around the festival grounds after dark, then you’ll need to be concerned about the possibility of taking a wrong step. Festivals offer an unpredictable surface for walking on. Add alcohol to the equation and you have a recipe for trips and falls – and, if you’re walking near to road traffic, a recipe for more serious injury.
If you fall victim to an accident, then you might be able to seek compensation later on through a pedestrian accident claim. A better approach, however, is often to prevent these accidents from occurring in the first place.
Establish a Buddy System and Meeting Points
If you’re going to be travelling alongside other people, then you’ll want to be able to lean on their support. Agree on a place to meet if you get separated. Patchy signal, limited battery life, and other problems might mean that you won’t be able to rely on your phone in an emergency. Get your friend’s phone number written down, so that you can call them from a public phone (or even a stranger’s phone) in an emergency.
Enhance Campsite and Tent Security
Your tent is obviously not a high-security facility. Don’t leave any valuables behind in it. Try to leave a padlock on your zip – while it won’t stop a would-be intruder, it might provide them with a reason to pick another target. If you can make friends with your neighbours, then you might be able to watch out for one another. That way, if a stranger comes poking around, someone might notice.
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