How to Stay Safe During Concerts

By Allie Caton on October 13, 2017

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In light of the recent devastation in Las Vegas, it’s more important than ever to educate yourself on the best ways to stay safe during concerts or events with large crowds. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of a concert and forget that in any large gathering of people, there is the potential for a dangerous situation to arise.

Similarly, different large-scale events come with different kinds of risks, and this should be taken into account. For example, a concert in support of a presidential candidate comes with a different set of risks than a concert at your local neighborhood venue. You shouldn’t avoid going to see your favorite bands because of the potential risk, but you should be aware of that risk and take steps to put yourself in the safest position possible.

Here are a few ways that you can stay safe during concerts:

1. Gather knowledge

The first and easiest thing that you can do to prepare yourself for a concert or large event is to educate yourself beforehand. Before you go, do a few quick Google searches about the venue, the performers, and the kinds of fans that go, and how many people are expected to attend the event. Get on social media and see what people are saying about the event or if there have been any online threats that have to do with the event.

If it’s an outdoor concert, look up the weather and check out what kind of places surround the venue. All of this will give you a better idea of what to expect and make you feel more secure and able to relax during the concert. Studying the area surrounding the venue can also prove incredibly helpful if a dangerous situation does arise. You will have a better knowledge of what places are best to flee too and what places might not provide as much safety.

2. Position yourself

When you actually get to the concert, make sure that you are aware of where you are positioning yourself. This is a key aspect to staying safe in the event of a disaster. Try to stay away from walls or physical obstructions because they can become incredibly dangerous in the event of a stampede. Take note of where the exits are in relation to your position.

Try to find a couple secondary exit points that seem less likely to get flooded with people. Create a mental roadmap of what your path might be if a disaster erupts. This will put you in a good position to get out quickly without any time wasted scrambling around looking for a viable exit. Notice where security guards or venue employees are located in case you need to quickly address them about a possible danger.

3. Stay aware

Stay perceptive during the event. Notice the people around you, notice which parts of the crowd seem rowdier than others. Stay tuned into your instincts and don’t doubt yourself if you feel like something is off. It’s so much better to trust your instincts and be safe than not. Notice the kinds of people that are around you — if anyone looks out of place, is carrying a suspicious bag, or anything that just doesn’t seem right. If you do see something that raises warning signals for you, exit the area immediately.

4. Maintain outside contacts

Have a meetup plan in place before going to the concert with the people you are attending with. If you studied the area surrounding the venue, you should be able to pick a spot and let your friends or family know that that is where everyone is to meet up if there is an event and people get separated. That way, you don’t have to waste time looking for your friends or family in the crowd and you can head straight to the meetup point.

Also set up a system for someone who isn’t at the concert with you to come retrieve you if something goes wrong. Ask a parent or friend to have their phone next to them while you are at the concert in case you need them to come get you in a bind. This is a simple thing that could be incredibly necessary to remove yourself from the dangerous situation as soon as possible.

5. Go in groups

Related to the last point, don’t go to a concert or largescale event alone if you can help it. The phrase ‘power in numbers’ applies to safety as well. The more eyes in the crowd, the more chance there is for someone to see something suspicious and relay that information to you and your friends/family. If possible, encourage the people you are going with to wear distinctive clothing so that you will be able to quickly and easily recognize them in the event of a stampede or any kind of dangerous situation.

Concerts can be amazing experiences that you shouldn’t stay away from just because they hold risk. Most things worth doing have risk involved, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do them. That being said, it is so necessary to understand the risks going into a concert or any situation. Staying informed about the concert and best safety practices is the best thing that you can do for yourself going into a concert or large event. Knowing what to do to put yourself in the best position to escape or deal with a dangerous situation is imperative and knowing what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones in a dangerous event is increasingly necessary in light of current events.

For more specific steps to take during stampede situations at concerts or events with large crowds, you can check out this article written after the Manchester events in May. This article lays out the specific steps you should take if you find yourself caught in a stampede or mass-exit at a concert or large event.

The world can be a dangerous place, but staying knowledgeable about how to handle high-risk situations can help you better manage your safety. Most experiences aren’t worth missing out on because of potential risk. Educating yourself on the event can help you better decide whether an event is high-risk enough to pass on it or not.

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