Although most of us try to avoid crowds (and queues!) when possible, sometimes being part of a crowd is inevitable. Whether you’re suffering from agoraphobia or just hate the feeling of being trapped, crowds can induce anxiety for many people.
If you’re heading to a busy event or festival, you might not be able to escape the hoards. But the good news is that by implementing some basic safety measures, you can protect yourself at events. Here are our top 6 safety tips for busy events.
1. Plan ahead and be well-informed
If you’re going to a festival or music gig, it’s a good idea to check the venue’s website beforehand to look for any safety information. Where possible, try and find a map of the site. This should tell you where all the exits are located and any fire safety points too. Although you probably won’t need them, with 152,608 fires recorded each year in the UK, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you have time and live locally, you might also want to head to the venue in person. That way, you can get your bearings and make sure that you know exactly where the exits and entry points are. Then, you don’t need to worry about it on the day.
2. Establish meeting points with the people you’re going with
It’s easy to lose sight of people in a crowd. So, make sure to agree on a meeting point with people before you arrive at your destination.
Where possible, choose a distinctive landmark so that you don’t accidentally go to the wrong meeting point.
3. Be aware of your surroundings
Don’t get us wrong, we’re not saying you should spend the whole concert looking around, scanning the crowd for anything suspicious looking.
But do be careful. If anything doesn’t look right or rings alarm bells, tell someone.
You should also be careful to watch your footing. If you find yourself unfortunate enough to suffer a trip or fall in public, you might be able to make a personal injury claim if said accident was not your fault.
4. Stay hydrated
It’s recommended that you drink between 6-8 glasses of water each day. Dehydration can be fatal, so make sure to take a reusable water bottle with you to your gig or event. Normally, bar staff will fill these up for you if there are no water fountains.
5. Leave the venue if you need to
If your stress or anxiety is getting overwhelming and you’re unable to enjoy the gig or event, there’s no shame in leaving the venue. As long as you tell people where you’re going and where to meet, you can pop out and return when you’re ready.
6. Keep your phone fully charged
You should try and keep your phone fully charged. Turn your brightness down and keep your phone usage low to preserve the battery.
If your phone battery is temperamental, consider packing a portable charger in case of emergency.
Now all that’s left to do is go and enjoy the event – you can thank us later!
