Summer weather can be notoriously unpredictable. The nice park outing you have planned can be postponed in a second from summer storms. But it’s summer after all and you aren’t going to let the weather ruin your fun! Safety concerns can also seem a little unpredictable, but just like fluctuating summer weather, you shouldn’t let these concerns ruin your summer plans.
Music and arts festivals are expecting their largest crowds ever this summer as they continue to increase in popularity. Hotel occupancy has also continuously been on the rise over the past few years.
Outdoor concerts and other events where large crowds gather can create tricky security situations though and it has been made clear in the past few years that safety measures already in place can’t always be entirely trusted. Here’s what you should be on the lookout for in certain areas you might be this summer.
What You Need To Know Regarding The Safety Of Popular Summer Destinations
Whatever you have planned this summer, make sure you, your family, and friends stay safe by knowing what to look for, what to do, and trust your gut in all situations. Our goal isn’t to scare you away from attending certain events, but the reality is that you should be aware of your surroundings everywhere you go.
If you’ll be flying this summer, catch up on our latest blog for the latest TSA Regulations For Stress-Free Flying.
How To Stay Safe At Music And Arts Festivals
Music and art festivals are probably the most popular summer destinations every year. Some have already happened, like Coachella, but many are on the horizon. Thankfully no major accidents or security scares have happened, but these events draw large crowds that can make it hard for security measures to catch everything.
Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Firefly are just a few of some of the most popular music festivals in America. To put the crowd size in perspective, Bonnaroo had 65,000 attendees in 2017. Organizers of these music festivals have put a bigger emphasis on security this year because of the larger crowds that are expected.
If you attend a music festival this year, make sure you follow the festival’s rules about entering the event and complying with all rules while you’re there. Many of these events have a safe place policy meaning that no matter what the circumstances are or what you tell medical and safety staff, you won’t get in trouble.
All festivals should have security staff dispersed throughout the area and available 24/7 for events that are overnight. Make sure you know where medical and safety tents are located in case there is an emergency and you need help quickly. Also make sure you know what the safety staff uniforms look like and don’t accept help from someone who isn’t hired by the festival.
For more summer safety tips, read our blog on Summer 2018 Safety Tips That Guarantee You’ll Have A Good Time. We talk about staying hydrated, sunscreen use, and insect repellent to protect yourself from the rising number of insect-borne diseases.
How To Stay Safe In Hotels And Resorts
Summer means lots of traveling, enjoying time with friends and family, and hopefully getting some much-needed rest and relaxation. Whether you’re traveling far away from home or enjoying a nice staycation, you likely have plans to stay at a hotel or resort sometime this summer.
With a large number of guests coming in and out of hotels at all hours, it can be hard to keep track of everyone and determine if someone shouldn’t be there. Ideally, you should only be able to enter the front without a key and after checking in your key will provide access to your room and other entrances of the hotel. This allows staff to better control guests and mitigate security risks.
As with music festivals and other summer destinations that draw large crowds, remember to keep everyone together, travel in pairs, and know who is on staff to report anything suspicious.
Overall, large crowds often lead to a phenomenon called Bystand Effect where everyone assumes that someone else is getting help or that someone else will step in to help. If you see something, say something and don’t hesitate to do so. Even if it’s just notifying the authorities, you could make all the difference.