Lolla Life! Safety tips for Lollapalooza
As any lifelong resident of the Chicagoland area knows, the winters can be brutal. Yet, who doesn’t love Chicago in the summertime? For a few short months a year, Chicago turns into a vibrant and boisterous sun-filled city.
Today, if you take a stroll downtown, it is inevitable that you will see the signs about Chicago’s Lollapalooza. Only weeks away, excitement belonging to all ages will be flooding into the city. We know music has the power to bring people together. However, in time for this unifying experience, one needs to consider what can go wrong, and planning ahead can help to ensure everyone has a good time and remains safe.
Large capacities of music festivals bring significant car and pedestrian traffic as well as drug and alcohol use. Thankfully, for these concerns plans are in the works well in advance of the event, including preparation with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies. Yet, even with the assuring idea of broad planning for safety, music festivals, like Lollapalooza, remain a challenge to keep patrons safe. Hopefully, using the safety tips below, all patrons can enjoy a safe experience at the festival.
To start, what is a festival without a buddy by your side? The buddy system and/or going with a group provides a buffer for people who are looking out for your well-being. To help minimize your levels of vulnerability, travel with a buddy and group so everyone is properly accounted.
Another idea is to predetermine a meeting spot with your friends. That way you can avoid getting lost and instead easily reconvene at the designated area. It would also be beneficial to purchase a portable charger to ensure you can rely on your cellphone battery; not only to capture pictures and videos of your favorite artists performing but also to communicate and make sure you get back home safely at the end of a long day.
Think when you drink! Staying within the recommended limits of alcohol consumption is always a good idea. At an event like Lollapalooza, drinking responsibly can help reduce the risk as inebriation adds to the likelihood that you may not recognize a threatening situation or to keep track of your belongings.
Dehydration and sun damage are real, especially in the thick of summer when Lollapalooza is held. It is best to wear sunscreen, reapplying use at the times when the sun is the strongest, and even throw on a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. Drinking plenty of water and making use of the water re-filling stations can help to alleviate the potential dangers of dehydration.
Be aware of your surroundings: do not assume the structures are safe as many are merely temporary.
Watch out for pickpocketing, grab and run incidents, and the potential for someone to use a knife or razor to quickly slice your backpack open, as these occurrences are more likely to occur in densely populated areas. Essential items should be kept in your front pockets rather than your back pockets or backpack. It is best to take only what you need. And, wear closed-toed shoes to protect your feet in large crowds.
Though you might be tempted to, do not search for fallen objects because this increases your risk of getting kicked, trampled, robbed or injured.
The Personal Injury Lawyers at Kaveny + Kroll can assist you in sorting through the specific circumstances, relevant parties, and the applicable laws potentially governing your case. To learn more about our experience in music festival and concert injuries, contact the Personal Injury attorneys at Kaveny + Kroll by calling (312) 956-6218.