Heading to a concert, parade or picnic this summer? Stay safe in the crowd with these tips

By Chad Cooper, courtesy of Flickr
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Summer is a fun time to be outside, especially with big events like music festivals, beach weekends and Fourth of July celebrations. But the large crowds can lead to dangerous situations.  It’s important to be prepared for anything, so here are a few things to keep in mind for all of your favorite summer celebrations.

• Before you go: Put on the right clothes. Wear a hat and light-colored clothes if it’s hot. Avoid open-toed shoes that can cause tripping. Charge your phone to 100% before you go. Just in case it dies, memorize important numbers. Bring water so you don’t get dehydrated and hand sanitizer to avoid germs.

• When you get there: Make sure you know where all the exits and first-aid stations are. Decide on a place to meet your friends or family in case you get separated.

• During the event: Keep an eye out for bathrooms. Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. These drinks tend to dehydrate you.

• In case of emergency: Listen to instructions from officials. Try to stay near the edge of the crowd and move sideways through it when you need to leave. Stay calm! You know how to get through this.

For more tips, check out our crowd safety fact sheet. Enjoy your event!