In Miami, spring break usually marks the beginning of music festival season. With Rolling Loud Music Festival less than a month away, here are some safety tips for those planning to rave.
Hydrate
This one should be obvious. Music festivals get hot very quickly. Add that to all the movement you will be doing, and it’s a recipe for dehydration. Make sure to drink water frequently. Bring a bottle of water or two to avoid having to take refreshments from a stranger.
Avoid taking drinks or drugs, especially from strangers
There’s been a rise in synthetic drug overdoses. More than half of these overdoses happened to those below twenty-one years old. After Ultra Music Festival this year, more than half the people who agreed to give urine samples had synthetic drugs in their systems. Designer drugs could be anything from marijuana laced with other substances to newly developed salts such as Alpha-PVP, a type of bath salt. It may be tempting to accept a drink from a stranger, especially if it’s free and you’re thirsty. You never know what people’s intentions are. It could potentially save you a hospital visit or worse. Try to avoid mixing substances as well. If you buy water or any refreshments, make sure the packaging is properly sealed.
Make sure people are aware of your presence
The buddy system works and you should take advantage of it. Have someone with you so that they can alert the authorities should anything happen. If you are attending a festival alone, introduce yourself to a few people. Make sure you put a name to a face.
Sunscreen!
Make sure to apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. SPF 30 or higher will protect you the most effectively from the sun’s rays. A sunburn can easily take away from your fun.
Protect your belongings
“I’ve had three iPhones stolen at Life In Color,” says festival frequenter Eduardo Sevilla. Never leave your belongings unattended. If you use a drawstring bag, wear it with the straps crossed so that the bag is harder to open. It is very easy to have your valuables stolen, so be vigilant.
Bring a portable charger
There’s nothing worse than a dead phone in a loud and crowded place. If you have access to a portable charger, bring one for emergencies. Make sure you arrive with a full battery. If not for safety, then for the videos you’ll take for your friends.
Don’t go on an empty stomach
You want to have enough energy to dance to your favorite acts, so eat something before you go the festival. It’s best to save your friends the grief of dealing with you when you’re hangry. Besides, all that movement and activity makes an empty stomach dangerous. Being lightheaded is not fun, and if you faint in the middle of the pit, it can be dangerous and even deadly.
The entire point of music festivals is to have fun, but with the fun, it’s always important to take the proper precautions to stay safe.
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