Tips to Keep Your Family and Friends Safe in a Summer Crowd
They say that Memorial Day marks the official start of summer fun – and it’s just around the corner! Summer is a time for outdoor concerts, BBQs, beach cook-outs and fairs and festivals of all kinds. Some of these summer events are big and crowded and require a bit more safety considerations than family events. Regardless with which summer activities you enjoy, read our tips for staying safe this summer.
Family Safety
- Make sure your kids are properly rested and have eaten something healthy before you go. Many meltdowns are caused by low sugar.
- Dress your kids in something easy for your to identify and pick out in a crowd. For evening and night events, think about outfitting them with glow-in-the-dark bracelets or necklaces.
- If your kids use cell phones, pre-text a group text with everyone’s cell number.
- For younger kids without cell phones, help them memorize a parent’s cell number. Generally kids over 4 are able to learn a song, so they will be able to learn a phone number (especially singing it in a jingle).
- Keep your kids ID’d – whether you write their name and your phone number on a band-aid, have a lanyard-type ID for them with a business card tucked inside or you’ve invested in an ID bracelet, having an ID will help if they get lots.
- You probably already have tons of photos of your kids on your phone. In case you need it, photos help event security identify your child more easily.
- Plan! Make a plan in case you get separated. Pick an easy to find place to meet up when you arrive. You can write it on their band-aid or a piece of paper (put in a pocket). Younger kids may not be able to find a meeting place, so show them the security or first-aid tent, or teach them to ask another parent (look for someone with kids) or vendor for help. Teach your kids to give this other adult your phone number to contact you.
- When choosing a meet-up place, avoid event and parking lot entrances as it leaves them vulnerable to being taken.
Communication Safety
When the court-mandated devices are installed, they would prevent drivers from exceeding speed limits or the speed threshold regulators set. In case of emergencies, an override button would allow driving faster than the speed limit, but state authorities can decide whether to use it and would be alerted any time the button is pushed.
- As listed above, pre-program a group communication text. You an also establish an alternative form of communication; there are various apps that turn your cell phone into a walkie-talkie or two-way radio.
- Start the event will a fully charged battery. If possible take an external battery especially for day-long events.
- Also as listed above, plan a reunification place should you get separated. For festivals and big concerts, pick a place farther away from the event in case you need to evacuate.
Health Safety
- Whether your event is outside or indoors, large crowds can get hot – more so if you’re outside on a hot sunny day.
- Stay hydrated and drink water. If you’re allowed to bring in a refillable water bottle, you can augment your hydration with a packed of hydration supplement.
- Prepare your body for the event by making sure you drink lots of water before the event so you’ll be properly hydrated when you get there.
- Staying hydrated is even more important if you’re having beer or cocktails – alcohol makes you more susceptible to heat-related problems.
- Read our tips on how to stay safe in the heat.
Evacuation Safety
- Though many of us don’t pay attention to “the nearest exit,” make sure you know where it is should an emergency occur. Plan for a second exit route as well; the first may not be available.
- When you get to your spot or seat, look around you and figure out a good exit strategy. Good observation and situational awareness are essential in an emergency and the door you entered in may not be the door you can exit from.
- If told to evacuate, stay calm and exit quickly. Follow security personnel instructions and directions.
- When evacuating, try to get to the edge of the crowd. You may need to “wade” through diagonally to get there.
- Although we like to be fashionable at events, “sensible” shoes are a good safety measure. They’ll let you get to an exit safely.
- If you hear an alarm, see suspicious behavior or smell smoke, leave immediate and alert security personnel. Suspicious behavior can be an abnormal increase or decrease if the number of people around you.
Should an emergency should happen, try to stay calm – it will help you make better safety decisions for you and the friends and family who are with you. Remember to breathe deeply and tell yourself you are going to be safe. Deep breathing and positive self-talk will help relax your mind and override a flight-or-fight response.
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Please get in touch to learn about our community-level security program – we believe the strength of collaboration and partnership make neighborhoods safer for everyone. In Georgia, call: (706) 844-2586, in California call: (213) 364-1394 or email us at info@therapidway.com.
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Photo courtesy: University of Kentucky Healthcare