Music festivals are an opportunity to have some fun and take a break from your daily life. They’re filled with special moments and happiness, and amidst all the excitement, you forget about life’s struggles. But did you know that festivals are also the perfect opportunity for criminals to take advantage of unsuspecting people?
During festivals, bad people can commit robberies and assaults. This is common because many people let their guard down during these events and simply want to have fun. For this reason, you must take safety measures to avoid a disaster from happening when you’re meant to have the best time of your life.
That being said, here are some festival safety tips to protect yourself from crimes.
Have Several Friends with You
Not everyone has a group of friends that they can go to a festival with. However, even one friend can be enough to prevent a potential attacker from striking. When you’re alone, you’re an easier target for someone who wants to take advantage of you. So, staying in groups is safer.
So, don’t go off on your own. Talk to your friends beforehand and plan things accordingly.
Don’t Forget Your Medication
Getting sick while you’re at a festival may seem unlikely to you. But sickness takes people by surprise. You may get it from someone else, for instance. On top of that, you may also have certain needs, which makes antidepressants, antihistamines, and other types of medication a necessity.
Although you may be able to find a first aid facility at the festival, it will probably not have the medication you need. It’s always best to be prepared and pack your medication before you leave for the festival.
Plan In Advance
Don’t leave things for the last second – spend some time planning for the festival way before it even begins. That means that you should do some event research and think about what you would do if something bad happens.
For instance, find out where the emergency exits are and work on an emergency plan. Study the location of the venue and try to discover what the layout is like. Be aware of all the entrances and exits and find out where the security guards are and what other security arrangements are made. Also, locate the medical facilities in advance.
Do some research and find out whether this festival had other incidents in the past and how they were handled. This can help you craft an effective plan.
Always Stay Hydrated
Becoming dehydrated can have serious consequences, especially if you’re out in the summer’s heat. Since you’re in front of the stage enjoying the show, you may not realize it, so it’s best to protect yourself and have some water available.
Make sure to wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and to have some bottles of water with you. If you’re drinking alcohol too, it’s easier to become dehydrated, so be wary of that.
Consider Some Hearing Protection
The closer you are to the stage, the louder the music is going to be, especially if you’re near the speakers. Loud music makes your happiness rise while you’re at the festival, but it can also affect your hearing negatively.
Protecting your hearing is a must if you don’t want to experience hearing loss. Consider moving away from the speakers to take a break or get some earplugs for better protection.
Cover Your Drink
Did you know that drink spiking is very easy and can happen whenever you turn your head to look at something? Since you’ll likely be distracted at the festival, bad people can easily see this as an opportunity to spike your drink.
This is why it’s crucial to keep your drink covered when you’re at the festival. Don’t leave your drink unattended while you do something else, and do not accept drinks from strangers.
Ideally, you should also learn how to recognize the signs of a spiked drink and what to do in case you suspect someone added drugs to your drink.
The Bottom Line
Lots of terrible things can happen at music festivals and you can become a victim even if you don’t think it’s possible. Finding ways to protect yourself is very important. For example, Rhode Island may not have the highest crime rate, but people are still afraid of becoming victims when they’re attending festivals in the area.
On the other end of the spectrum, some people may be wrongly accused of crimes, and if that’s the case, they can hire a Rhode Island criminal lawyer to help them navigate the entire court process.
