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The ongoing COVID-19 situation may be holding back all our plans at this moment in time, but sooner rather than later we will be back having the time of our lives doing what we love most. When it’s time to celebrate at your next festival, it’s important to do what you can to stay safe and have fun.
Stage Event Security is a specialist firm when it comes to festival security. They know what it takes to provide effective security while maintaining a friendly and positive service. Stage have provided security for a wide range of small to large events including the Ipswich Maritime Festival and the 1 Big Multicultural Festival. In this article they have provided some of the top tips that can help ensure your personal safety while attending a festival.
Personal Safety Tips from Festival Security:
1. Keeping Your Belongings Safe
The most important thing you can do to keep your belongings safe at a festival is to limit what you bring. Don’t bring anything that is valuable and non-essential. Festivals can be extremely busy and after a few drinks it’s easy to get reckless about looking after our own belongings. That said, we know there are some valuables you may consider essential, such as a mobile phone and money. You should do what you can to keep these items secured in zipped pockets or bags, a bumbag is perfect, and make sure to keep them on you at all times. Consider registering your valuables with a National Property Register such as Immobilise.
Use common sense when engaging with others while on site. Beware of pickpockets, don’t flash your personal belongings in front of strangers, and take special care when handling money or visiting a cash machine. Some festivals may provide secured storage areas for storing important items in lockers. If you have access to a car, empty it of any belongings and double check that the vehicle is safely locked before leaving it unattended.
2. Stick With Your Friends
Festivals are best enjoyed when spending it with the people you most trust such as close friends. When you attend a festival, a good rule to follow is to always stick with your friends. Don’t wander off on your own or allow a friend to do likewise. At most, if you do have to separate, make sure you remain with at least one of your group. Look out for one another and avoid going off with people you’ve only just met.
Before you arrive, it’s a good idea to agree on a designated emergency point. Should something unexpected happen or you get lost or separated, you can always meet up again at this point. We recommend storing the contact details of everyone who is with your group and keeping your mobile phone charged. A portable phone charger is an essential item to bring with you to the festival!
3. Report Incidents to Security
Most festivals go off without a hitch and the vast majority of people can enjoy their time safely, however unfortunately there are some incidents that require security involvement. Festivals can be the target of anti-social behaviour, brawls, drug misuse and other serious crime. If you are the victim of an incident or identify mysterious behaviour, don’t hesitate to reach out to the security team on-site. They are there to protect you and other festivalgoers and are typically friendly and approachable. You have a role to play in remaining vigilant and reporting anything that appears unusual.
Security personnel maintain a visible presence and can usually be easily identified. Alternatively, you can reach out to a steward who will be able to guide you in the right direction. Be sure to keep a festival guide with you at all times. This will detail any help points or phone numbers you can ring for assistance.
4. Avoid Hunger and Dehydration
Away from the nitty and gritty of external forces, you have your own responsibility in how your body feels. First and foremost, make sure you drink plenty of water! It can get very hot out there when surrounded by thousands of people, especially during the summer months when festivals usually take place. Dehydration is one of the more common health issues that medical staff deal with during a festival. It can lead to heatstroke and fainting. Many festival arenas will have free stations available where you can re-fill with fresh water.
And of course, don’t forget to eat! Check what food and drink you can bring with you before you arrive. There will also be plenty of vendors available serving a range of items. Last of all, make sure to protect yourself from the sun. Chances are you will be under the gaze of the sun for hours on end. Wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for the weather and consider bringing a hat and sunglasses. Bring plenty of sunscreen with you and apply regularly to avoid getting sunburnt.
5. Plan out Your Journey in Advance
Organising a event capable of holding thousands of people in a field is no easy task. As a result, festivals are usually held in remote locations rather than cities. Before you travel, make sure you plan your journey to and from the festival site in advance. Avoid getting into a car with strangers, traffic delays and driving with someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Also, once you get there, the site itself will be very big so you may also wish to plan out your itinerary beforehand, especially if there are multiple stages.
6. Avoid Harm From Substance Abuse
Substance abuse, whether legal or illegal, isn’t always clear as day. Attendees may often vow to stay clear of any such substance, but when the time comes, the occasion and peer pressure can get the best of them. It should go without saying that you shouldn’t take any illegal substance. You should be cautious of accepting anything from a person that you do not know. Avoid mixing substances, and don’t allow alcohol to get the better of you. As with point number two, stay with your friends and look out for them as much as they should look out for you.
This is a sponsored post from Stage Event Security – festival security services