If you're planning to go to a festival this summer a little time spent preparing before you go can make a big difference to the kind of experience you have, especially if this is your first festival.
Festival Safe is a new website set up to provide a one-stop-shop of information for festivalgoers. If you are a first time festivalgoer, the parents of a festivalgoer or parents taking your children to a festival for the first time, this website is aimed at you. But even if you've been to previous festivals it can be worth taking a look to remind yourself of some key things.
Having looked at this new website and several different festival sites, we've come up with a shortlist that every festivalgoer should note.
Tickets
You will need a ticket to enter any festival, and the last thing you want is to arrive on site to find your ticket is a fake. Make sure you buy from a reputable seller and be careful not to pay a ridiculously marked up price.
Camping
Don't forget to bring a tent if you're camping for the weekend. Make sure you know how to put it up and check it isn't damaged before you go. Remember a lot of other people will be in tents as well, and the camping area is likely to be pretty large, so finding a way to make your tent recognisable to you is going to help you find it at the end of the day.
Valuables
Don't bring unnecessary valuables.
That may seem like an obvious statement, but some people will. Think carefully about what you're going to need; mobile phone and cash are the key items, but bank cards and ID can be needed as well. Keep these items on you at all times. Watch out for pickpockets and don't put a padlock on your tent as this will just suggest to potential thieves that you have something valuable inside. Tents are not difficult to break into, so don't invite the damage.
Health
If you're unwell over the weekend it will ruin your festival experience, so if you take any regular medication don't forget to pack it. Try to avoid an upset stomach by not overindulging too much, washing your hands (keep some wet-wipes on you), and making sure any food you prepare for yourself is properly cooked (BBQs can sometimes result in food poisoning!).
The Festival Safe website provides a Top 10 Festival Medical Complaints that is worth reading.
Sexual Health
Don't come home with an unexpected souvenir, such as an STI or even an unwanted pregnancy. If you do meet that special someone make sure to protect yourself. If you forget to bring any with you most festivals will give away condoms for free.
Just as important, if not more, is consent. If consent isn't given it is sexual assault.
The Safer Spaces at Festivals campaign was launched last year by the Association of Independent Festivals to encourage festivalgoers to promote safety with the following 3 key messages;
- Zero Tolerance to Sexual Assault
- Hands Off Unless Consent
- Don't Be a Bystander
Alcohol & Drugs
Overindulgence can make you ill and spoil your fun, so taking it slowly and drinking water as well as alcohol will help to avoid dehydration and prevent you getting drunk (too quickly).
Don't leave drinks unattended. It's not worth the risk of having them spiked.
Drugs are found at most, if not all, festivals. The organisers and security teams are strict about illegal drugs and operate searches on entry; sniffer dogs are used to help detect drugs. If you're found in possession you may be arrested, if caught before you enter you might not be allowed in and if caught on site you may be ejected. If you buy drugs for friends you can be arrested for dealing, which is much more serious than possession and can result in a prison sentence.
Final reminder....
- Keep your mobile phone charged, bring a portable charger and look out for charging points on site.
- Look out for your friends, take care of each other.
- Agree on a meeting point in case you get lost and your mobiles don't work.
- Make sure you know the locations of key points on site, such as security, first aid, toilets, food stalls, campsite, etc.
With a little preparation and common sense you can have a lot of fun at festivals over the summer. If you're looking for some last minute inspiration, take a look at this list. Enjoy...
