Setting Up Crowd Control Barricades

Whether you’re a small business preparing to deal with seasonal crowds or in charge of holding a large event, crowd control measures have to be put in place.

One of the simplest ways to manage crowds is through the use of crowd control barricades. These take the form of steel, plastic, or rope barricades that keep crowds focused to certain areas. Choosing and setting up these types of barricades is a relatively painless process, and we’re here to make it even easier.

There are a few different types of barricade options you can choose from, and they all have their pros and cons. Tape Posts are easy to set up, adjust, and use, making them an economical option. Tape posts allow for easy belt extension, making it a very customizable crowd control solution. Ropes & Chains come with a better design aesthetic, and rope in particular is very durable. The issue with both of these options is that crowds can duck under or step over these barricades. If you’re trying to protect crowds from bigger hazards such as traffic, a steel barrier may serve you better, but keep in mind they’re expensive and difficult to transport.

You’ll want to be sure to set up your crowd control barriers long before your crowds begin to form. It is much harder to organize crowds into an orderly line after they’ve started to arrive than to do it beforehand. If you’re setting up crowd control for a business you may even be able to leave it out continuously.

When setting up your barricades you want to be sure there are clear entrance and exit points. You  may choose to do this with signage or staff posted along the barricade. Ideally, you’d do both. People waiting in line are likely to become irritable and anxious. Having staff to monitor the line means there are people available to answer questions and step in if need be.

For safety reasons, we also recommend setting up your crowd control posts in a configuration that eliminates the dangers of crowd crush. By setting up crowd control barriers in the shape of an S or multiple rows, you limit the possibility of injury. By doing this, you can prevent people in the back of line from pushing forwards.

These simple steps will help to keep your crowds organized and safe.

How We Can Learn From Crowd Disasters

There will always be some level of risk when it comes to managing crowds at large events. Most of the time, events are held without any major issues. But occasionally we’re faced with large events that end in disaster, with lives lost and everyone asking what we could have done better.

These tragedies force us to examine crowd control policies to determine what can be done better to avoid such large disasters in the future.

The Hillsborough Disaster of 1989

What Happened: During the FA Cup semi-final match 96 people were crushed to death as crowds attempted to enter the stadium. A bottleneck developed at the turnstiles. In response, the police commander opened an exit gate, allowing even more people inside and crushing the people at the front against the perimeter fencing. Many of those who died did so due to compressive asphyxia.

What We Learned: Event organizers and police need to be better trained in handling overcrowding. Within a closed space there must be capacity limits. Staff of events must direct patrons on where to go to prevent overcrowding. In the event of an emergency there must be clear announcements and communication between staff to prevent further issues.

Hajj Tragedies

What Happened: The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca has led to multiple incidents resulting in the loss of life. Most commonly are crowd crushes and progressive crowd collapses. Stampedes have also led to individuals being crushed to death. The most recent incident occurred in 2015, when two groups of pilgrims converged, causing a massive crush that left over 1,000 dead.

What We Learned: For massive events such as Hajj, redesigning the event space can help to prevent such tragic events. By preventing bottlenecks the pressure in different event spaces can be spread out. There also needs to be increased security with staff to direct attendees appropriately.

Love Parade Music Festival 2010

What Happened: 21 people died when too many people became packed into too small of a space without enough exit routes. Miscommunication and a lack of information were two factors in how the tragedy unfolded. The tunnel, used as both the entrance and exit, became overpacked.

What We Learned: Events must hire enough staff to meet event demands to control the flow of traffic. Adequate entrances and exits must exist to prevent this type of crowding.

Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse

What Happened: A severe thunderstorm moved into the area where crowds had gathered to watch a concert. Despite being aware of the incoming storms, officials didn’t initially plan to cancel the show. As an announcer took to the stage to finally announce the show was cancelled, a gust of wind hit the stage, which collapsed.  The stage landed on spectators, killing 7 and injuring 58.

What We Learned: Structures at events must always be inspected to ensure they meet safety standards. Potentially dangerous weather conditions must be closely observed, with adjustments to the event being made far in advanced. Clear communication and a line of authority should be put in place so decisions about unsafe situations can be made swiftly.

These types of crowd disasters can be prevented with the right planning, staffing, and crowd control products. Make sure to keep these lessons in mind when planning your next event.

Top Considerations For Outdoor Events

The unofficial start of summer has come and gone, which means outdoor events are going to be plentiful for the next few months. Whether it’s an outdoor craft show, a county fair, or a week-long festival, there are a lot of safety issues you need to take into consideration.

With the recent string of terrorist attacks and shootings in the USA and across the globe, people are understandably a bit on edge. As an event planner, you should be too. There are a lot of risks you need to mitigate when you run any event, especially an outdoor one.

You can minimize the risks at your outdoor event by performing a risk assessment survey. This is the easiest way to keep track of all your event risks and come up with a plan to prevent safety issues from happening, and a contingency plan for if they happen anyway.

Start by creating a list of potential hazards at your event. These hazards will largely depend on the type of event you are holding, the number of attendees, the security of the perimeter, and the attendee demographics.

Potential Hazards

·        Severe weather

·        Lightning

·        Strong wind

·        Extreme Heat

·        Extreme Cold

·        Uneven surfaces

·        Vehicle movement

·        Medical emergencies

·        Fire

·        Temporary structures – integrity

·        Crowd behavior

·        Natural physical hazards (hills, rivers, etc)

·        Event perimeter

·        Illegal items entering event grounds

·        Lack of communication

·        Electrical malfunctions

Once you’ve identified the potential hazards at your event, you will need to evaluate each one individually. Take a good look at each hazard and consider all the problems that hazard could cause. For example, think about lightning as a potential hazard. Storms can develop suddenly and without warning. Once you are able to hear thunder, you are at risk from lightning. Lightning may strike attendees or event structures, which can cause fire, structure collapse, and crowd panic.

Evaluate

·        What could go wrong?

·        Who could be hurt?

·        How could they be hurt?

·        How much of a risk does this hazard pose?

·        What can I do to prevent this hazard?

Prevention

Of course your goal will be to prevent these hazards from happening in the first place. Some hazards can be eliminated more easily than others. Some, like the weather, you have no control over save dealing with them when they happen. Luckily there are a lot of steps you can take to reduce the risks of these hazards before your event begins, and even during the event itself.

·        Assign someone to monitor weather during the event

·        Make resources such as misting stations, shaded areas, and more available

·        Ensure wiring is up to code

·        Keep cords and wires covered

·        Mark uneven surfaces

·        Block access to prohibited areas

·        Ensure all temporary structures meet safety requirements

·        Ensure tents are securely tied down

·        Have medical personnel/transport onsite or on call

·        Search bags

·        Install metal detectors

·        Background checks on staff and volunteers

·        Install a PA system

·        Create a text/app system

·        Hire security for event

Contingency Planning

If everything else fails and any of these hazards come to pass, you need to have contingency plans in place. This is all about asking “what if”, then coming up with a plan of what you would do if it were to actually happen. Create an outline of what would be done in the event of an emergency and who would be in charge. Keep the documents handy during your event. Have emergency evacuation plans in place and make sure all staff members are informed about how to execute them.

What To Do About Overcrowded Beaches

Memorial Day Weekend is getting close, summer is on the horizon, and beaches across the country are only going to get more and more crowded. It’s easy to understand why everyone wants to hit the beach. Between the sun, the water, and the shopping and dining nearby it has something for everyone. But how do you keep visitors safe and beaches clean when they’re swarmed with people?

Holding events on the beach is a popular thing to do in summer, especially over holiday weekends. But these beach events can get very crowded, so certain measures need to be put into place to keep everyone safe.

The amount of crowd control measures you need to put into place will depend on the beach. These are our tips for managing crowds at any beach event. Pick and choose which ones work for you based on your event.

·        Increase parking costs

·        Limit liquor sales

·        Ban alcohol on the beach

·        Hire security for beach events that may get out of hand, such as during spring break

·        Close streets along the beach to vehicles, opening them up to foot traffic only

·        Set up barriers as needed to manage traffic flow

·        Place barriers around structures that people may climb or sit on

·        Have an announcement system in place so crowds can be directed as needed, especially in an emergency

·        Convey information through signage

·        Implement shuttles and other public transport systems to keep traffic down

·        Charge admission to the beach during peak times

·        Create and enforce strict littering rules

·        Place limits on what beachgoers can bring with them to the beach

Crowds Are Destroying National Parks

More and more people are flocking to America’s National Parks, and who can blame them? There are 60 National Parks in the USA across 28 different states. Each of these parks offers something different to visitors; experience sandstone arches, vast deserts, imposing glaciers, massive forests, and so much more. With so many options there’s a National Park out there for everyone.

But with hundreds of millions of visitors, National Parks are feeling the strain. One of the biggest problems is that visitors tend to flock to the most popular National Parks. The Grand Canyon, Smoky Mountains, and Arches National Park receive millions of visitors, while other parks only see 20,000 visitors a year.

A lot of solutions are being discussed to protect the parks and improve the experience for visitors. Park reservations, daily visitor caps, and increased entry fees are all on the table and being discussed. Some parks require the use of a shuttle to protect the wildlife from vehicles and pollution.

But turning away visitors goes against the very mission of National Parks. These parks are meant to be open for visitors so that people can see the beauty of the natural world. But too many people can cause damage to these parks that cannot be rectified. Many national Parks lack the funding and staff to keep the parks safe. An increase in visitors leads to an increase in dangers for the regular park visitor as well, such as becoming lost or dangerous interactions with wildlife.

The National Park Service is also trying to encourage nature enthusiasts to head to less popular, but no less beautiful, National Parks. For example, Utah has five National Parks, but not all of them get the same foot traffic despite having similar geographical features. Officials hope that thinning out crowds in this way will make both the people and the parks happy.

The rise in lists such as Top Instagram Spots has led to an even larger increase of travelers stopping at a destination only to snap a photo. Instead of hiking to a beautiful viewpoint and simply stopping to take it in, many people find themselves herded along with a crowd and given dirty looks when they don’t immediately pull out a camera, take a photo, and move on.

While all of this is inconvenient for the traveler, it also has a huge impact on the nature that visitor is admiring. Tourists are crushing important vegetation, getting too close to wildlife, littering, and hiking in restricted areas. Not only is this awful for the environment, but many of these practices can endanger visitors as well.

So what does the future of our National Parks look like? Maybe a visit to popular parks will require you to join a guided tour. Maybe reservations to enter the park will need to be made in advanced. In the future there could be a system that only allows a certain amount of people to enter a park every hour.

All of these solutions sound unpleasant but could actually be good for the tourist as well. Viewing natural wonders when you are surrounded by hundreds of people can steal the majesty and beauty of the place. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to stop and observe the natural landmark you want to see at your own pace, without having to shove your way to the front of a line of people?

So if you’re planning a visit to a National Park, do your homework. Avoid traveling during peak seasons and consider visiting a less popular park. While visiting, respect the park and keep it clean. We all have to do our part to keep these beautiful places safe for future generations.

How Top Tourist Destinations Handle Overcrowding

Tourism is on the rise. Popular destinations are only getting more popular while up-and-coming destinations are getting packed with tourists. While this can be great for the economy it can also, in a way, be a huge hindrance because of overcrowding.

This problem isn’t likely to go away. Travel has always been a big business and it has only gotten bigger. But the huge influx of crowds can bring big issues for local residents. We’ve seen this type of joke when it comes to beach towns, but it’s no joke for locals who can’t get to work in time because of tourist traffic. Large crowds can also cause damage to the environment.

So how are the top tourist destinations dealing with this overcrowding problem? Let’s find out.

Barcelona – Barcelona is one of the top visited cities in the world, and for good reason. But life is becoming hard for the locals. They’re being pushed out of their homes to make space for tourist accommodation. Rents are on the rise. To combat this, the city has stopped licensing the building of new accommodations for tourists. This is temporary, until visitors fall to a more manageable level. In the meantime the city is marketing less famous sites and areas outside the core of the city.

Venice – This is the city you probably think of when you hear the term “overtourism”. The amount of tourists regularly outnumbers the amount of locals, to the point that locals are moving away. Recently Venice announced that it wants cruise ships to take a different route to dock. They’ve launched a campaign that brings hefty fines to those who break rules such as swimming in the canals and dropping litter. Signs are posted around the city reminding tourists of these rules. It also encourages tourists to wander the whole city, not just the famous areas.

Machu Picchu – This beautiful, ancient site is in danger of being destroyed by the many tourists visiting it every year. Luckily a lot of new rules have been introduced to limit the impact of tourism. Tourists now have to choose one of two entry times, and can’t linger beyond a certain amount of time. If a visitor wants to spend the entire day, it costs extra. Tourists must be accompanied by a certified guide who takes them on specific paths. They are also restricted on what they can bring with on the journey. The rules will be adjusted as time goes on.

Amsterdam – While some cities are taking steps to limit visitors, Amsterdam is looking into more creative ways to prevent overcrowding in the city. They use data to analyze the habits of tourists, and use that data to subtly move tourists to less busy attractions. They also provide live feeds that display the wait time at popular tourist stops so visitors can re-arrange their schedules to avoid the crowds. Less popular areas near the city have even been re-branded to draw more people out of the center of town. Amsterdam is relying on technology not to limit tourists, but expand their horizons.

Santorini – This picturesque Greek island has been slammed with tourists. The amount of visitors is putting a huge strain on the infrastructure of the island. In the past visitor caps have been enacted to keep people off the island. The biggest culprit is cruise visitors, who come to the island for the day leaving it completely overrun. For the time being, Santorini is still struggling to get their crowds under better control.

Bhutan – Tourism in this Asian country only began in 1974, and the country has done a lot to keep the tourist impact low. All tourists must travel with a guided package that is pre-planned and pre-paid. The fee is all-inclusive so your expenses when you arrive are minimal to nonexistent. Part of the entry fee is also a sustainable tourism royalty, which goes directly back into the country. Bhutan has done what many destinations cannot…stopped overcrowding before it had a chance to start.

Become A Trendsetter By Visiting These Destinations First

Traveling abroad for vacation is more popular than ever. International tourism is growing and it shows no signs of slowing down. Tourism is up pretty much across the globe. While this is fantastic for the tourism industry, it also means the sights you want to see are going to be more crowded than ever.

We’ve already brought you some tips to avoid crowds while traveling, but it is inevitable that popular tourist destinations such as the UK, France, and the Caribbean will be crowded. Luckily the world is massive, and there’s plenty of locations that haven’t become absolutely flooded with visitors yet.

Cambodia

While Angkor Wat is a famous tourist attraction, it still pulls less tourists than many other famous ruins. There is far more to explore in this country that plenty of tourists don’t see. The beaches are no less beautiful than Thailand’s, but lack the crowds. The capital city is an amazing city with fewer people than Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodia is rich in history with friendly people and amazing food. Don’t just stop while on a trip to Thailand; take some time to see this amazing country.

Bangladesh

This densely populated country has some great sights without a lot of tourists. The locals are friendly and excited to see foreigners visiting their home. Though sightings are rare, you may even spot a tiger in the wild. Visit temples, hike far off the beaten path, and explore the many rivers many of the locals make their livelihood from. Before you go make sure to check on the security status though, as political demonstrations do occur.

Belize

Belize can be easy to forget about since it is surrounded by more popular Central American countries, but it shouldn’t be. With beautiful beaches, Maya cities, and an amazing barrier reef, this location should definitely be on your bucket list. The weather is warm all year and getting around is extremely easy. This is the place to go for more adventurous travel with less of the tourists.

Myanmar

This SE Asia country only recently became open to tourists, meaning it has yet to be spoiled by Western influence. Over 2,000 temples still remain that you can explore. If you love adventurous travel there’s plenty of jungle for you here. This affordable nation is slowly entering more people’s radars, so go see it before everyone else does!

Zambia

This African country has amazing things to offer any visitor, sans the crowds you’ll find in places like South Africa. You can still go on safaris to see the animals in their natural habitat. Here you can also view the largest waterfall in the world. The national parks are remote and boast amazing wildlife. Here you can be more adventurous in your travel or head to one of the high-end resorts!

Iceland

Iceland has so much to offer despite its relatively small size. It also offers some amazing incentives that you won’t find many other places on Earth. Time it right and you can experience 24 hours of daylight here. It’s also one of the best places to view the northern lights. If you’re feeling chilled take a dip in one of the many geothermal baths. Explore the country’s many volcanoes and icebergs. If you love outdoor adventure this place is for you.

Cyprus

If you don’t like the cold, Cyprus may be more your speed. This small Mediterranean nation certainly sees its fair share of visitors, but not so many that you should be put off. The tasty food, easy access, and beautiful beaches will make you fall in love with this country. If you’re looking for somewhere you can just sit back and relax, you can’t go wrong here.

Luxembourg

This tiny European country is about the size of Rhode Island and is situated around Germany, France, and Belgium. It’s easy to get to and often known by the typical tourist. You’ll find modern buildings and medieval ruins, all in this tiny country. Just like elsewhere in Europe there’s tons of museums and galleries. Plus if you’re already in Europe this destination is easy to get to and makes for a perfect weekend trip.

Bhutan

Travel to this country must be planned in advanced, and you’ll be hit with a $250 fee per day to explore this untouched country. This is to control tourism and protect the environment. If you need to plan your own trip you may want to skip this one, as you will be assigned a specific tour. But if you do choose to travel here, you’ll be met with an authentic, unique experience that many can only dream of.

Antarctica

If you truly want to experience a place that has escaped human influence, Antarctica is the place to go. Here you will experience massive icebergs, flocks of penguins, and superb whale watching. You have a limited timeframe to visit every year and are very limited when it comes to getting there. You travel by boat through the rough seas of the Drake Passage, and as you can imagine it isn’t cheap. Despite all this, it is not a location to be missed.

Thailand

Alright, so when it comes to SE Asia everyone knows about Thailand. If you dream to see it though, you need to go soon. Tourism to this country continues to rise, so don’t put off the trip if you want to go. And there’s plenty of amazing things to see and experience in Thailand; the temples, the wildlife, the food, and plenty more. Go now before the country is even more overrun than it is now!

10 Tips To Skip The Crowds While Traveling

Travel is much more than a fun vacation. Travel gives people a chance to learn about new cultures, meet amazing people, and gain a respect for a way of life different from their own. Trips to beautiful beaches are usually crowded, but an increasing number of people are taking trips to less-visited destinations, which mean more crowds.

By no means does that mean you shouldn’t travel. No matter where you go, you must be sure to respect the travel destination you are in. But you don’t have to avoid your dream trip just because of the crowds. Here’s how.

1.      Travel in the low season. It’s easy enough to look up the high season in any country or city you’d like to visit and plan a trip around that. Want to see Italy? Avoid summer and try going in fall instead, when the weather is still nice but the crowd sizes are much smaller.

2.      There may be the occasional exception to the above rule. If for example, you have always dreamed of seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan, there is absolutely no way to avoid the crowds. This is the highest season in Japan. If this is the case book your trip, but try to get out and see the sights earlier in the day and in the evening, when the crowds are less thick.

3.      If busy trains and busses drive you nuts, the best thing you can do is simply avoid them. Book accommodation near the big sites you’d like to see so you are able to walk. If you need to take public transportation, plan your sightseeing wisely. Plan your touring so you only need to take public transportation once or twice during the day.

4.      Do some sightseeing off-the-beaten-path. Tourist sites are popular for a reason, so we’re not saying you should skip them. But less popular attractions are less crowded and often still stunning. Do some research online to find great alternative attractions!

5.      Avoid major tourist attractions on weekends. Not only is this when tourists are out and about, it is when locals are as well. Use weekends as more laid-back travel days.

6.      We cannot state this tip enough; get up early. Yes you want to relax and sleep in, but it simply isn’t worth it. Wake up early and get to those top attractions before the crowds. We’re talking be at the door when they open.

7.      If you are heading to a city that gets a lot of cruise ships coming in, look at the schedule of those ships. Thousands of extra visitors pour into cities from cruise ships. Avoiding these ships will make your destination much less crowded.

8.      Sometimes, going early to a destination is not the solution. The sunrise at the top of Haleakala in Hawaii, for example, is packed. Do some research to see when the off-peak hours are. Sunset for example, is much less crowded and still plenty beautiful.

9.      Check out more than just tour guides when researching your trip. Books tend to focus on the popular, tourist-heavy areas in any destination. Instead check out some travel blogs. Ask around to see if you know anyone who has been there. They will give you much better advice than a book will.

10.   Buy your tickets to paid attractions in advanced when you can. Popular attractions aren’t only crowded, but they have long lines just to get tickets. Waiting for a ticket for the Eiffel Tower for example can take hours on its own. Plus when you skip the line, you have more time to explore!

Christmas Crowds

Christmas is only a few days away, and that means a lot of places are going to be extremely busy. Keep reading for our advice when it comes to handling the last couple days of Christmas crowds.

Travel

You likely already have your travel plans in place, but we’ve got some advice to try and make your experience a bit easier. Whether you’re hitting the road or heading to the airport, everywhere is likely to be pretty busy over the next week.

·        Get to the airport early. Millions of people are getting on planes over the next few days, and you don’t want to miss your flight because you get stuck in security. Bring a book or a laptop to entertain yourself while you wait.

·        Bringing gifts? You might be better off wrapping them after arriving at your destination. If a wrapped gift sets off any alarms, TSA is going to open it. It is easier just to wait.

·        Go carry on only if you can. This will save time because you won’t have to wait at baggage claim and there’s no chance of your luggage going missing.

·        If you’re traveling by car, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are expected to be the busiest days on the road, so leave extra time.

·        If you can drive to your destination in the morning versus the afternoon, you will most likely encounter less traffic.

Shopping

If you’ve not finished Christmas shopping yet, it is too late to avoid the crowds. Malls and stores are absolutely packed with people shopping for last minute gifts. There are a few ways to make the experience less overwhelming, though.

·        Try getting out to the store before the weekend. It will likely still be busy, but not nearly as busy as it is during the weekend. Similarly, try going shopping in the early morning. The later it gets the busier it will be.

·        Parking lots will be crowded. If you can, get someone to drop you off and pick you up later to avoid the stress of parking.

·        Expect every store you go to to be packed. If it is, you are less likely to be irritated, and if it isn’t, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

·        Take friends or family with you. Yes, this means more people, but you are more likely to enjoy shopping when surrounded by people you care about.

·        Go shopping with a game plan. Know what you need to get and get it right away. Choose stores you already know to save time.

·        It may still be possible to do some online shopping. Shop your favorite stores online and opt for in store pickup. Check the dates and make sure stores will have the items before Christmas, first!

Surviving Thanksgiving Weekend Crowds

Thanksgiving is only a week away, which means soon airports and roads are going to be clogged with holiday traffic. And the AAA is predicting that a record number of Americans are going to be traveling during for the holiday. That means millions of people will be on the move, and if you’re one of them, it’s time to come up with a plan.

While airports will be busy, the majority of American’s will be driving to their destinations. If you’re one of them it may be too late to avoid the drive, but we can help you avoid many of the crowds.

AAA has released a guideline of the worst times to travel, as well as what cities are expected to have the most traffic, including specific roads. This year Tuesday is looking to be the worst day for travel, particularly around rush hour. Not only will people hit rush hour traffic, they will hit holiday traffic as people get an early start to their weekends. Traffic delays could be up 300% in some cities. Click here for a detailed list. If you can get on the road sooner, do it, otherwise you may be better off waiting until closer to Thanksgiving if you want to avoid traffic.

Longer commutes are important for people traveling via train, plane, or bus as well, as traffic delays can make you late. Give yourself extra time for traffic, and because airports and stations are going to be busier than usual.

And what about heading home? Getting an early morning start on Black Friday is your best bet for avoiding the crowds. By Saturday afternoon roads will again be crowded with people heading home. If you can stay an extra day and head home Monday, you may have less traffic as your reward.

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, accept that you are going to run into worse traffic than usual. That is inevitable. Please drive safe, and be kind to the others on the road with you.

Security at Major Events

The shooting in Las Vegas is just the latest in a series of devastating attacks at large events. Whether you are planning for a festival, a concert, or any other type of large event that attracts a lot of people, you need to put a lot of thought into the security of your event. A lot of this has to do with crowd control. With strategic pre-planning you can do your best to limit the risk of violence at your next event.

Before you do anything else, once you start planning your event you have to begin your threat and risk assessment. How do you even begin to do this? First consider common threats, such as petty and minor crime and weather. From there, branch out to consider more severe threats, such as active shooters. Finally you need to consider other threat aspects. Could the event be politically charged? What kind of crowd will be at the event? All these things (and more) are things you must consider when planning an event. Remember that the priority is keeping attendees safe, but you should also consider damage to property while making this assessment.

Once you have finished your risk assessment you can begin planning your security strategy. First you want to establish your perimeter. This shows you what space you will have to work with. If it is an outdoor event, what are the barriers of the event? How do you keep people in or out? What are the risks both inside and outside this perimeter? You can form a perimeter with something as basic as a crowd control barrier or fence; you just have to make sure you have the staff and security around this perimeter to keep it safe.

This brings us to the staff you and bringing on for the event. Work with local police. Get their feedback about the area your event is taking place in, and security threats they believe you may face. You may want to hire private security. You want to give your staff all the information you can. Have them assess the risks as well. Create a chain of command within these security personnel to make things run more smoothly. If possible, hire security staff that has worked with the venue and/or the type of event you are running before.

Providing some sort of cover in the event of a shooting can also be helpful. We aren’t suggesting you put up barriers to hide behind, but one of the reasons the Las Vegas attack was so fatal was because the shooter acted from up high with an open-air target. Keep this in mind when considering a large, open-air event. You also want to prevent cover from a vehicle attack. Unfortunately, criminals driving into groups of people on sidewalks is becoming more common, but this can be prevented with barriers to give your guests coverage.

Outside of crowd control barriers and metal detectors, one of the best and most cost-effective things you can do is train staff and volunteers to recognize suspicious behavior. You can also encourage attendees to report any strange behavior to event security, which puts many more eyes out there. Hopefully this will lead to suspicious individuals being stopped and prevent an attack from happening.

If something does go wrong, you want to have an evacuation plan in place. While you are not likely to tell each attendee this plan, what is important is that all staff and security knows about the plan. You need to have a specific plan in place, and not just a generic evacuation plan. At a seated venue there are clear exits, but at a festival there are not. This is something you have to consider in case of emergency. Make sure all your staff understands your emergency plan and that they know how to execute it if something goes wrong.

No matter what you do to plan, it is impossible to guarantee that nothing will go wrong at your event. That’s why it is important not only to attempt to prevent an attack, but to have a plan in place in case something does go wrong. Prepare the best you can and be ready to handle a situation if violence does break out. 

Evacuation During Hurricane Irma

Evacuating during a hurricane is almost always going to be a messy affair, especially if that hurricane is likely to make landfall in a densely populated area. An evacuation order, even if it comes far ahead of a hurricane making landfall, can still cause chaos. So what is the most efficient way to evacuate this busy, crowded situation?

First off, keep a close eye on the forecast. Even if you haven’t been issued an evacuation order yet, this doesn’t mean you won’t get one later. You should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Prepare an emergency kit before you do anything else. This should hold cash, prescription medication, food, and bottled water. Only after this is completed should you start gathering other possessions, such as valuables or important documents. Bring legal papers, passports, and any other essential documentation with you. If your home floods this stuff could be easily destroyed. If there are valuables you want to save but cannot bring with you, store them in the highest point of your home.

If you have time before evacuating, please move chemicals, electronics, and sharp objects to a higher place. Flood waters can easily drag dangerous objects and chemicals into the water, and this debris can cause a lot of problems. But please, only do this if you have the time to do so before you leave. The same goes for boarding up windows; only do so if you have enough time before evacuating.

Make sure you and your family members have a meeting point. Cell phones may not work or some people may forget their phones or run out of battery power. Have a plan to check in on social media too if possible. Having a meeting place will make evacuation faster and much easier.

The most important tip we can give you is do not wait. In the event of an evacuation, thousands of people will all be trying to get out of the path of the storm. Time is extremely important, and it is never too early to get out. Waiting until the last minute is extremely dangerous. You could end up trapped in your vehicle during the storm, or may lose your chance to evacuate at all. If you are a senior citizen, pregnant, or disabled, you should leave even sooner. Getting around when confined to a wheelchair will be more difficult than normal, so leave as soon as you can.

If you will be evacuating but won’t be able to stay in a hotel or with friends and family, make plans to get to a shelter now. This is particularly true if you do not have access to a vehicle. Do not wait. Get in contact with others in your community or local officials to find a way to get to safety.

Roads are going to be extremely busy, so make sure you get gas beforehand. Do not rely on GPS, but instead follow evacuation routes. You do not have to get out of the state, you simply have to get away from the main areas of danger. While no part of Florida is safe from the storm, trying to drive out of the state may prove to be impossible. What is most important is to get away from the coasts and low-lying areas. Because the path of the storm is not yet fully determined, head north. You cannot evacuate to the Gulf coast. Please do not attempt to leave the state, as this just causes additional traffic problems.

If you have mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders, please do not wait and leave now. It is not worth your life to try and ride out such a dangerous storm. By tomorrow it will likely be too late to evacuate. Emergency services will not be able to respond to calls during the duration of Hurricane Irma. Don’t take the risk; heed evacuation orders as soon as you can.

Surviving The 2017 Solar Eclipse

It seems unlikely that you’ve managed to not hear about the total solar eclipse that will be happening across the USA. If you are planning to travel to see the totality of the eclipse, or even if you already live in the area, you have to be prepared. We’re here to bring you some advice for what might be one of the most crowded events in the past century.

Now something to keep in mind is that this is the first total solar eclipse in the USA since 1979. No matter where you are, if you are going to the totality area it is going to be very busy. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel to get into the path of totality.

First, if you’ve not made travel plans yet it is not too late, but know you’ll be paying a premium for any hotels that are left, or that you will have to stay a couple hours away from the path of totality and drive in the day of.

If you managed to get a hotel room within a town in the path, good job! Something to keep in mind though is that the town is going to be overrun. Gas stations and grocery stores may run out of food. Bathroom lines will be very long. Getting to eat at a restaurant will likely be impossible. Our advice? Bring yourself a picnic lunch to eat during the eclipse, along with beverages. Make sure you get gas before you get to town. As for bathrooms, you’re simply going to have to wait in line.

And get ready for traffic. There is going to be an insane amount of traffic. This is going to be true before the eclipse starts, during the eclipse, and after, so be prepared. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get from one place to the other. At least double the time, if not more. And if it is cloudy where you are? Traffic to move locations is going to be even more insane. Keep an eye on the forecast and don’t be afraid to change up your plans if you need to.

Traffic and parking in actual cities will likely be very difficult to find. You may want to head to a small town or somewhere very rural, which will be less busy. If you want a spot to park, get to town early. And maybe linger afterwards, as traffic will be very bad.

And remember that cell phones may not work, so do not rely on them for GPS or communication.

Stay safe, and enjoy!

Underrated Destinations That Allow You To Skip The Crowds

We’ve been covering travel the past couple of months to help you miss the crowds while on vacation. This month we’re going to list some of our favorite underrated travel destinations that you can head to instead of the more popular locations nearby.

Bruges, Belgium: A lot of people making a stop in Belgium will head to the capital, which is not only pricey but busy. The Old Town Square truly is beautiful, but if you’re looking for more beautiful architecture Bruges is the place to go. Central Bruges looks like a classic medieval town. But it’s not just the beauty of the city that will draw you in, it’s the activities. Visit impressive art galleries, beautiful churches, and sample delicious food.

Carcassonne, France: The city of Carcassonne looks like it has been lifted from a movie set. This fortified city looks like a classic medieval castle, surrounded by nearly 2 miles of walls, with dozens of towers, and has a fascinating history. Make sure you don’t only visit the castle, though. The lower town is a small, sleepy place with cute shops and cafes to enjoy.

Krakow, Poland: Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland, and is well-known for its medieval core and proximity to Auschwitz. Many people who want to stay in a larger city during their visit to the famous camp stay here, but don’t take time to check out the city itself. Here you can get a feel of medieval times as well as modern times. Don’t miss Old Town if architecture is your thing. In the Southern Part you can explore where the Jewish ghetto was located while it was occupied by Germany. There’s tons here to see!

Upcountry/North Shore Maui, Hawaii: These areas of Maui are far less developed than the more touristy destinations in West and Southern Maui. In these areas you will find large farms, amazing surfing, and much more. This is a large area to cover, so we’ll just give you some top tips. Farther north is Paia, a historic town filled with rustic, locally owned stores and cafes. Beaches in this area have great windsurfing and surfing (but unless you are a pro, don’t try it yourself in winter). Farther south you can take farm tours and find fantastic farm-to-table restaurants. If you’re in Maui, take some time to explore this area and escape the crowds.

Hiroshima, Japan: Many people don’t realize that you are able to visit Hiroshima. It is not a large, radioactive wasteland. The city may have been leveled during WWII, but it has been rebuilt and is now home to over 1 million people. With the destruction of the city almost completely vanished, you can almost forget this city was leveled only about 70 years ago. The Atomic Bomb Dome is one of the only traces of that destruction that is left, simply because it was too difficult to dismantle and rebuild. You can visit the memorial at Ground Zero, but even that is just a small statue on an otherwise normal street. The Children’s Street Monument is a larger monument marking the bombing, and is very sobering. But not everything has to do with the bombing, and there’s plenty of other things to do as well!

Taiwan: Taiwan is still not on a lot of westerner’s radars, but it should be. With amazing food, beautiful national parks, and hot spring resorts, this paradise is a great destination. There’s four main areas to explore so we’ll give a bit of insight into all of them.  Taipei and the surrounding area is the busiest part of Taiwan, so if you want to avoid crowds this isn’t the place for you. If you can handle some crowds spend a couple days here because there’s tons to see. Northern Taiwan is by contrast largely wild. There are beautiful scenic areas, hot springs, and villages all waiting to be explored. Central Taiwan is known for its mountains, but also houses busy cities with great nightlife. And of course, the more tropical, south Taiwan is filled with pineapples and beaches. There’s something for everyone in this country! 

Less Crowded Attractions at Popular Vacation Spots Part Two

The summer months are the most popular times to travel. You may have big dreams to see big locations across Europe, Asia, and America. But you may also find yourself nervous about the huge crowds you will face at these locations. While we certainly wouldn’t advocate that you head to Rome and skip the Coliseum, we’re here to give you some less popular but equally spectacular attractions you can visit when you need a break from the huge crowds.

Rome, Italy

Like we mentioned, don’t skip seeing the various sights of ancient Rome. They are well worth the crowds, but you can still experience some amazing, less busy sights after you’ve checked off those bucket list items. Our first piece of advice is to go to some of Rome’s smaller museums. You will find amazing art, historic artifacts, and beautiful sculptures without the crowds. You can also find many less-visited Roman ruins that are beautiful, but less known. Some examples include Ostia Antica, catacombs, and the Caracalla Baths. With over 1,000 churches in Rome, you can visit plenty of beautiful, smaller churches to escape the tourists. Rome does have some green spaces, so if you need a break head to Rome’s parks for some peace. If you want an alternative neighborhood, San Lorenzo is a hip area where you will find cheap bars, tons of students, and street parties. Trastevere is a charming neighborhood that doesn’t have many sights, but has an old-world feel. Go here to explore with no goal in mind, except to see some beautiful buildings, great restaurants, and unique shops.

Prague, Czech Republic

This beautiful city has become more and more popular in recent years. Luckily there’s still plenty of amazing sites to see that aren’t crowded by tourists. While the Prague Castle is beautiful, a lesser known, equally beautiful option is Vyšehrad, a castle with grounds that are perfect for a picnic. While of course you will want to see Old Town, walk around residential neighborhoods to see beautiful architecture and quiet, lovely streets. Strahov Monastery is absolutely beautiful, and has much less tourism than other areas of Prague. Get away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the Botanical Gardens. If you want to enjoy the waterfront in a quiet place, head to the Rašín’s waterfront to watch swans, sail boats, and simply to enjoy the view. Want to explore a beautiful area without the crowds? Head to Zbraslav Chateau, which feels like it’s miles and miles away from Prague.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin has a lot of history, and some main places you are going to want to see. But once you’ve gotten past those, there’s tons of things in Berlin to do that will keep you away from crowds of tourists. Don’t skip a beer garden, but do find one that is in a less tourist-central area. Do head over to Museum Island, which has not only the most visited museums, but small, strange museums you’ll be surprised to see exist. If you want to enjoy a flea market without the crowds, head to the lesser known RAW Flohmarket, where more of the locals shop. Looking for something unique? Tempelhofer Feld is an abandoned airfield that is now used for grill parties, picnics, and even wind surfing. Berlin has a huge underground scene, so if you feel a bit more daring, go looking for it! (But please, be safe).

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand is an extremely affordable vacation, meaning every year it gets more and more crowded. There’s tons to see in this busy city, and plenty to do off the beaten path! The first thing you can do is simply walk and explore without a destination in mind. You’ll find tons of culture, street food, shops, and markets just by walking around. There’s plenty of unique museums which will be less crowded than the traditional museums. If you’re looking for a quieter beach scene, head to Hat Tri-Triang to avoid some of the bigger, louder crowds.

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans has a reputation as being a big party city, and is filled with tourists at many different times of the year. There’s plenty to see, and plenty of ways to avoid the touristy crowds. See the French Quarter, but then get exploring. The Garden District is a beautiful area filled with parks and gardens to explore. And there’s many other unique neighborhoods to explore outside of the French Quarter. The cemeteries may be morbid, but are fascinating, but be careful as some of them are in not-so-safe neighborhoods. Try heading to Frenchmen Street to get a less touristy street filled with clubs and bars. And of course, like most cities, check out some of the more obscure museums such as the Pharmacy Museum or the Voodoo Museum. 

Less Crowded Attractions at Popular Vacation Spots

Last month we brought you a blog post about less crowded travel destinations to visit. While that is great for some, others have dreams of seeing some of the more popular travel destinations such as London, Paris, Rome, and Hawaii. While you may go there to enjoy some of the more popular attractions, when you need a break from the crowds there’s plenty of less busy attractions you can visit and enjoy. This month we’re going to share some of those places with you, so you can enjoy your vacation without constantly being surrounded by crowds.

London

London is one of the most visited cities in the world, and for good reason. With a mix of newer technology like The London Eye and older history like the Tower of London, there’s something for everyone in this amazing city. If you want to get off the beaten path, we have some suggestions. First, walking tours. We cannot emphasize enough how enjoyable these are. You can do them on your own or take a tour, which usually only has a couple dozen people at most. These walking tours can be focused on many different things, from famous filming locations to the haunts of Jack the Ripper. Looking for royalty? The Kew Palace may be more modest, but it lacks huge crowds and is still a sight to see. Want a great view? Primrose Hill is a beautiful park with beautiful views. And if you like cemeteries Highgate Cemetery is rarely crowded and is beautiful, overgrown, and the guides have many stories to share. And if nothing else, just walk. Wander. There’s always cabs and tube stations to go to if you get too lost. There’s tons to see and do in the city.

Hawaii

Our first pieces of advice is to not choose Honolulu as your destination. Oahu is beautiful, but easily the most crowded of the Hawaiian islands, especially if you stay in Waikiki. You’ll be surrounded by tourists the entire time. Try the Big Island, or if you want something a bit more commercial, Maui. If you do choose Oahu, don’t stay in Waikiki. You don’t fly to Hawaii to be in a city, you fly to Hawaii to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands. If you do choose a different island, you are in luck, as the attractions will be much less crowded. And that includes the beach. Stay away from beaches in resort areas, though, as they get more crowded.

Amsterdam

This increasingly hip city is also getting increasingly busy. If you want to take in the charm of the city without the tourists, here’s our advice. While we’d never tell people to avoid the big museums, Amsterdam has dozens of small museums on niche topics to choose from. You should also take a ferry across the river, which takes you away from the city center where you can explore less visited neighborhoods. De Pijp is full of hipster cafes, bars, and shopping. It’s a small city, so one of the best things you can do is rent a bike and just explore. Check out side streets, watch the canals, and just soak in the atmosphere.

New York City

If you’re here in America, this is the most likely place you will visit, and also one of the easiest places where you’ll see nothing but tourist traps and crowds. You cannot avoid the crowds in New York. It is simply impossible. But you can find things to do that are less crowded. Sure, check out the MET, but then head to the Cloisters to see art from medieval Europe. Central park will be packed, but lesser known parks such as Fort Tryon Park will not be. And don’t only go to popular museums, check out the many smaller museums. And don’t only take in Broadway, take in smaller theaters, comedy shows, poetry readings, and more.

Tokyo

Tokyo in Japan is a huge city and a huge tourist destination. Japan though is actually known for its quirky side, so finding some odd attractions is not uncommon. But don’t be fooled because there’s tons of attractions out there the average tourist doesn’t find. Shimokitazawa is a small neighborhood filled with character and less tourists than Harajuku, but with a similar feel. Check out some themed restaurants such as the Robot Restaurant or TheLockUp. For a quieter area, check out Kagurazaka, which started as the geisha district and is now filled with kimono shops and teahouses. Yanaka market street is less busy but still filled with authentic clothing, street food, and crafts.

These are just some starting points, but there’s obviously tons more to see out there! Maybe we’ll do more of these throughout vacation season to help you find the culture of these great locations without the crowds.