Christmas Party Crowds

Christmas parties aren’t essential events, but they are great for many reasons. If you’re holding a company party, it’s great for employee morale. If you’re holding a friend or family get-together, it’s a great way to connect and remember that Christmas is about loved ones, not presents. No matter what type of party you are hosting, you have to consider how you are going to manage your crowds.

You strategy will have to differ depending on the type of party you are holding. We’re going to break it down into three categories; company party, friends/family party, and party with children.

Company Party

A company party is generally a larger affair, which may be held on the premises or in a space that has been rented for the occasion. If you are holding your party at a venue other than your workplace, there are some extra steps you must consider such as how far the venue is from work and what the parking situation is. It’s a good idea to give directions and parking options to all your employees to avoid traffic congestion and confusion.

No matter where your party is, be sure to provide adequate signage so employees can find the party. Many workers stick to familiar areas in a building and may need help finding the party location, especially in a large building. And of course, it goes without saying that you must provide directions if your party is held in a hotel banquet hall, for example. Again, signage helps prevent confusion and stops employees from wandering into the wrong area of your venue.

Now, onto the party itself. Company parties fairly traditionally count on food, alcohol, and sometimes dancing. It is likely you will have a catered meal, and dancing is fairly straightforward. Where you do have to be careful is with alcohol. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can lead to some awkward situations. Plus people have to be able to get home. If you’re worried about serving alcohol, just skip it. Serve juice, coffee, tea, soda…there’s tons of other beverage possibilities!

Company parties can be quite crowded, especially if family members and significant others are invited. For this reason you must pay close attention to the capacity of your space. Have enough seating and crowd control items such as rope posts to direct any lines that may form. Spread out your food and drinking stations so no area of the party is getting congested, leading to uncomfortable and unsafe conditions.

Friend/Family Party

While it is certainly possible to rent out a venue for a friends and family party, these events are usually held in someone’s home, which presents its own challenges. First off, be sure you do not invite more guests than your home can handle. While you don’t necessarily need seating available for everyone, you should have enough for the majority of your guests. You also don’t want overcrowding in your home, in case of some sort of emergency.

One way to reduce overcrowding is to keep everything spread out. This will work differently depending on the layout of your home. You may choose to have plasters of food spread across your home. For example, leave the warm food in your kitchen, but spread trays of cookies, candy, and cold appetizers across the entire party area. Have seating available in multiple rooms, so guests can spread out and create their own pockets.

Mess can create extra clutter, which can lead to accidents and safety issues. Strategically place garbage cans near food areas to subtly encourage guests to throw away garbage right away, to avoid stacks of plates.

Party with Children

Many parties that do include children are often hosted at home, so make sure to read the friend/family section above. But, in addition to all of those tips, you must add the high energy of children to the equation.

It’s a good idea to have an area of the house dedicated to the kids. Here you can set up toys, craft stations, and games. If you do this make sure there’s some sort of supervision in the room at all times. Alternatively, you could set up this area in one of the main party areas, so there will always be adult eyes on those nearby children.

With sugary treats likely available, children will likely have a lot of energy which can manifest in behaviors that can cause damage. If you’re planning to have children over for this party, we recommend being strategic about where you place items. You don’t want to set a drink station next to where the children are dancing, for example.

No matter what type of party you’re hosting, it’s sure to be a little chaotic. Stay organized, spread out the party, and be clear about where everything is, and make the crowding at your party a little less stressful.

Thanksgiving Crowds Projected to Grow

Planning to head out this coming weekend to visit friends or family for Thanksgiving? Be warned,

travel for the holiday weekend is projected to be up 1.9 percent. It is estimated that approximately 48.7 million people will be hopping on planes or getting in their cars over the next few days.

With low gas prices and lower than average airline fares, it’s no surprise that people are taking advantage. Unfortunately that does mean you will likely run into crowds wherever you go; the airport, taxi services, gas stations, roadside restaurants, and more. Does the idea of being surrounded by crowds make you feel panicked? Here’s our top tips for avoiding the crowds as much as possible.

1.      Pick the least busy days to travel. If you already have plane tickets you’re likely out of luck, but for those of you driving, changing your departure times can make a big difference. The two busiest days to be on the road are the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If you can leave on Thanksgiving Day, or head home the Saturday or even Monday after, you should encounter less traffic.

2.      Leave early. Maybe you have a flight, or maybe with your work schedule you are limited with the days you can go out of town. If that’s the case, always try to get an early start. If you’re flying get to the airport early. Lines will be long and navigating the crowded airport will be a nightmare. Traveling is stressful enough without adding the stress of trying to be on time. Driving? Avoiding the traffic is all about timing. If you have to leave Wednesday, leave earlier in the day. The same goes for Sunday. Getting an early start is almost always better.

3.      Less luggage is more. More time, that is. If you’re driving this isn’t such an issue, but if you’re flying, listen up. Checking baggage takes up a lot of time. You have to check your bags, hope they arrive to your final destination, and wait in baggage claim to collect them. With most flights each passenger is allowed carry-on luggage, and for a long weekend trip that will usually suffice. Pack smart and avoid long waits by not checking bags at the airport.

4.      Give yourself plenty of extra time. Let’s say, for example, you’re supposed to arrive at your in-law’s house at six in the evening on Wednesday, with dinner plans for seven. What if your flight is delayed? What if you hit traffic? What if your child gets car sick and you have to make a stop? Things like this happen, and if you’re only giving yourself an hour-long window you’re going to be stressed out. Keep plans casual for your arrival day, or give yourself a few hours as a buffer.

5.      Be patient. No matter what you do, you are likely to run into some crowds if you plan to travel during the holidays. Remember that you do not own the roads, the airports, or the sky. Everyone else who is traveling is just as deserving as you are. Bring something to entertain yourself with for long waits. Going to the airport? Bring a book, portable game system, or a laptop. Driving? Get some books on tape or a bunch of CDs. Try to have fun with the crowds. It will make you much less miserable.

Those are our top tips for traveling during the holiday weekend. Drive safe, and have a great Thanksgiving!

Crowd Control Supplies For Halloween

Halloween is almost here, which means many venues will be hosting costume parties over the next couple of weeks. But are you prepared for the crowds? Today we’re going to give you a quick rundown of which crowd supplies will best help you control the crowds at your party, plus show you how they can actually be part of your party décor.

Tape Posts

Tape posts are both economic and easy to use. The tape smoothly guides from one post to the next, making it easy to form barriers to keep guests out of specified areas, in an orderly line, and more. Tape posts can be easily adjusted as the party progresses, which is ideal for line formation. Tape comes in multiple colors, so you can customize the tape to your party.

Wall Mounted Units

Have limited space at your party? Wall mounted units are perfect for you. They can be attached to any wall or vertical flat surface. A wall receiver is attached to the opposite wall, creating a visual and effective barrier. Use this to block off specific areas. Have some fun with it! Make the tape intersect in odd patterns and add “Keep Out” signs so your crowd control items become part of the atmosphere of the party.

Rope Posts & Ropes

Have a theme to your party and want a particular look for your crowd control? Rope posts and ropes give you more options for crowd control. Use plastic chains for a creepy, prison sort of feel, or try twisted polypropylene ropes to give a cautious feeling. Of course if you want more glamorous, velour ropes are the way to go. These crowd control items can really add to the atmosphere of your event.

Who knew you could incorporate crowd control into your party so seamlessly? Shop now to get the items you need before the party day!

Top Stadium Considerations

Football season is here, and if you’re like the majority of the population, you are likely celebrating. Whether we’re talking about professional football or high school games, crowd control is paramount when it comes to directing people around the stadium.

While many professional stadiums likely have their crowd control strategy down, what about college and high school stadiums? Having a crowd strategy is still extremely important, even when the games are not professional. Football draws large crowds, and these crowds are extremely passionate. We’re going to help you with some tips for before, during, and after the next big game.

•         Have staff or volunteers onsite to direct parking.
•         Have clear entrances and exits so you can easily direct foot traffic.
•         Hire security to keep order during and after the game.
•         If the game requires tickets to be purchased, have clear signage available.
•         Check bags before patrons come in to ensure no weapons or illegal materials are making it inside the stadium.
•         If games have assigned seats, have ushers to direct patrons to where they are to sit.
•         Alcohol comes with a high liability risk, so consider not selling it at games.
•         Train all staff before the start of the season, even if they have worked games before. Proper training is extremely important.
•         Keep a close eye on weather reports. Inclement weather can lead to serious injury or death, and it is unlikely your patrons will be paying attention to the weather. They’re there to watch the game.
•         Monitor the parking lot throughout the game. Glass and other items may have been left behind from tailgating. Clean this up to avoid injuries.
•         Make rules in the parking lot and in the stadium very clear. These should be posted so they are easy to spot.

These small tips can save you big headaches on game day. 

Managing Marathons

Marathons and fundraising walks/runs are a wonderful new trend. Marathons are a chance for competition, while walks/runs raise awareness and money. Both of these activities require a great deal of crowd management and safety to be done correctly.

So, how do you manage large crowds of runners, staff, and onlookers? It’s not easy and requires a lot of planning. Marathon runners are going to be physically fit, but this strenuous event can be dangerous if the right procedures aren’t in place. For a fundraising walk, it is likely all your participants won’t be in perfect physical condition and may push themselves too far. Not to mention re-routing traffic and having a location for onlookers.

The first step you have to consider is the disruption that will occur in the community. Ensure that proper detours are in place to re-route traffic on the day of your event. It’s also nice to alert local residents of the event with some sort of flyer. Trust us, this will cause significantly less confusion the day of your event, which means less headaches for you.

With roads blocked off though, how do you get participants to the event site? You’ll need a designated route and parking zone, or some sort of shuttle service. You need to close not only the roads of the event, but the roads nearby to ensure there are no accidents. This can make travel to the event difficult, so make sure you have clear instructions and accommodations.  

The biggest challenge is handling the crowds on the day of the event, and keeping everyone safe. A great way to do this is to break down each area into different zones. These zones can be as big or small as you want; a new one every block, every five blocks, every ten…whatever you need. This way you can have staff dedicated to each zone to watch for issues with the participants, keep onlookers in their designated areas, and make sure no non-event traffic is making it through.

And make sure you have enough water and cooling stations! It will be a logistical nightmare if you choose to have only several throughout the course, as it will cause backups and make it unsafe for other participants.

Proper planning will make your next event a huge success. Follow these guidelines, and people will be talking about your event for all the right reasons. 

Think Like Your Attendees

Summer is still going strong, which means there’s tons of outdoor events going on. Outdoor events can come with their own headaches, and outdoor events in summer come with even more.

So how do you deal with these problems? No matter what the problem may be, they key is to be prepared. Issues always surface during an event, but preparing can significantly cut down on the issues.

When planning an outdoor summer event, it is important to think about what issues you may run into months before the event even happens. Consider, for example, if lines are going to be long. This could be due to ticket sales or security. How do you prepare for this? You keep lines organized. You promote advanced ticket sales to cut back on lines. You have multiple entrance points so security doesn’t take too long to get through. This way people will get into your event quickly and not be irritated before the event has even begun.

So, once people get into your event, what issues might they run into? Most commonly this will be finding their way your event. Putting an information booth right by the entrance can direct visitors to where they want to go, provide maps, and promote event schedules. The next step is signage. It is extremely important that you have helpful signage at your event. Label different stages and buildings, list events happening in particular areas, and direct people with easy-to-spot signage.

The next problem they may run into? Long lines for shows, food booths, and services. This can happen for many reasons. Sometimes a particular booth or show is just very popular. There is not much you can do about this. What you can do, however, is arrange booths in a way that allows for easy line formation. You should also be sure to have a lot of options when it comes to food and entertainment.

The crowds are in, they are enjoying the festivities, but it’s summer. It’s hot. People are feeling sick and leaving early. How do you stop this? Make sure you have cooling stations throughout the event area. You may also choose to have a centrally located area where guests can purchase water and request first aid. If possible, an air conditioned building within the event area is perfect for providing some temporary relief from the heat.

As the event comes to an end, don’t think your job is over. A large group of people leaving at once is a logistical nightmare. Have volunteers directing the flow of traffic out of the correct areas. Be sure there are others directing actual, vehicle traffic, which is often the most frustrating part of an event. You want attendees to leave with a good impression, not with a sour taste in their mouths.

As you can see, thinking about your event as if you are attending it can be very beneficial. When considering your event specifically, you can also come up with more specific solutions that cater to your event and location. Summer and outdoor events are great, but with people’s high expectations make sure you are up to the challenge!

The festival season is upon us, which means there are even more events to be organized and even more crowds to control. While your actual strategy is likely to change based on the type of festival and the size of it, there are a few things that you should always keep in mind when planning an event.

·        Consider the audience. What is the average age of your attendees? Will there be alcohol? What type of day, and what events, are the most popular? These are huge factors in planning out a crowd control strategy.

·        Consider the venue. Do you know it? Has it held an event like this before? If you’ve held this even before, what didn’t work about the venue?

·        Consider your staff. Are most of them new, or have they done this before? This will help you select where staff members are placed and what type of training they need.

·        Train your staff to be courteous. Friendly interactions with staff members are more likely to keep crowds calm during the festivities.

·        Give your staff members uniforms. This is as simple as having everyone wear the same T-shirt. You want staff to be easily recognizable.

·        Provide a clear chain of command so information gets from your staff to the right people. This is very important.

·        Be sure to brief your staff clearly. They need to know where everything is, the procedures for a multitude of events, etc.

·        Have a clear method of communication. This may be phones or radios, but whatever it is make sure you have it and all staff has access to it in some way. If there is a situation requiring backup but your staff can’t communicate that, it’s going to escalate.

·        Do your research when hiring a security service.

·        Plan the event like you are planning for your family to attend. Think of how you want to keep them safe. That’s the same amount of work that should go into an event for strangers. They’re trusting you to keep them safe too, after all.

Each event is different, but each event should also have these strategies put in play to keep events running smoothly. Happy festival season! 

Managing Crowds at Large Events

We’ve talked on this blog before about managing crowds at locations such as theme parks and festivals, but what about events that take place indoors? Hundreds of conventions are held across the USA every year, and the majority of these conventions take place indoors. When you have thousands of individuals crowding into one building, it can be a bit hectic. Luckily many conventions have found ways around these issues.

In this post we’re going to go over a few of the main problems with large indoor event crowds, and solutions you may use to overcome them.

Number 1: Registration lines are long and slow.

Solution: There are multiple ways around this problem, though it cannot be eliminated entirely. Anime Central, the third largest anime convention in America, now offers mailed badges. Attendees pay an extra fee for their badges to be sent in the mail. This eliminates a large chunk of people from the line entirely. Those not wishing to pay extra or who don’t register in advanced can still do so the traditional way. You may also choose to have multiple registration lines, such as one for pre-registered attendees and one for those registering onsite, as onsite registration takes longer. Another excellent option is to offer registration the day before the event, so those arriving early can get signed in early to cut down on lines the day of.

Number 2: Multiple lines cause confusion.

Solution: Have signage to help guide your guests. It is traditional for signage to be at the front of the line, but if it’s a large line your guests can benefit from multiple signs along the way. A whiteboard can work very well for this to write out the name of the panel and the capacity of the room. This may lead to guests not waiting needlessly if the line is already very long for an event. It also allows you to easily update schedules that can change quickly during a convention. 

Number 3: There are too many people in too small a space.

Solution: Make use of every bit of space of your venue that you can. This is really about planning ahead. Predict how popular a particular screening or panel is to be. The more popular, the larger the room should be with plenty of space for lines. Dealers and registration need a large, open area for setup and lines, so take that into account as well. If possible, expand to multiple buildings. A lot of conventions make use of part of a convention center as well as one or even multiple nearby hotels. You may even choose to host several outdoor events. Utilizing your space correctly will make it less crowded and overwhelming.

Number 4: Panels and screenings are overcrowded.

Solution: Panels are the largest reason attendees will pay for admission to a convention, so of course they are going to be crowded. Clear signage and crowd control barriers are a great way to keep the lines themselves organized. If you are hoping to cut down on lines, a great way to do this is to have plenty of ongoing programming. This will depend on what type of event you are hosting. You may have lounge and networking areas, video game rooms, lending libraries…whatever fits the theme. It should be something available throughout the entire convention so guests can come and go, and hopefully cut down on traffic to panels a bit.

Problem 5: Lines are too long

Solution: If you are running a popular event, lines are going to be long. There’s not much you can do about that. What you can do is keep lines organized and keep guests happy. Using tape, rope, or other barriers can keep crowds organized. When there are multiple lines in one area it’s easy to become confused. You should also strive to keep attendees informed. Staff should go up and down long lines, giving instructions and guiding attendees to the correct areas. You may even choose to use apps to track how many people plan to attend specific panels and screenings.

Running a large event is a lot of work, and you’ll have to deal with a lot of crowd control issues. This is inevitable. We’ve got several small, extra tips for you to keep in mind. Make sure you keep attendees informed. When issues arise, fix them immediately, as this can cause the snowballing effect. And of course, remember this event is about making your attendees happy. Ultimately, the crowd control isn’t for you, it is to make your guest’s experience as good as possible. 

Retail Crowd Safety

When a person considers a dangerous environment, a retail location is not usually at the top of the list. Unfortunately the busy holiday shopping season has led to heated arguments, injuries, and even death. Employers have a responsibility to do everything in their power to keep their employees and customers safe. While there should always be a crowd management plan, there must also be special considerations for the holiday season. Read on for some tips from us when it comes to crowd control.

·         Hire extra staff for the holiday season. This is something that many retailers already do to keep up with the increase in sales. In addition, be sure there is enough staff for each specific department. This includes staff that works the registers, fitting rooms, stocking, and much more.

·         Make sure to have an emergency plan in place for your workers to follow. This applies to any dangers your workers may face including fire, crowd crushing, violent store acts, and overcrowding. Make sure each employee understands what to do in each situation.

·         When your store is having a major sale be sure to have crowd control barriers in place. This may include barricades for forming store lines and barricades in certain store aisles to prevent overcrowding. This includes having the proper signage. Signs should clearly indicate information to customers in line, provide a clear path to exits, and explain sales.

·         Have plans in place for winter safety. This includes many different things. Have an inclement weather plan in place in case a store location must be shut down. Even if your location stays open it is likely many employees will call in. You must also be sure to keep parking lots plowed and sidewalks shoveled and salted. Eliminate any hazard to your employees and customers.

·         Focus extra attention on the days that are projected to be the busiest. This allows you to add extra staff and security. The projected busiest shopping days this month according to Shoppertrak are as follows: December 5^th, 12^th, 13^th, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st, and 26^th.

·         Spend extra time on the normal safety precautions that go into managing a store and train your employees to do so as well. Remind employees to always pick up items off the floor to avoid tripping hazards. Clothing racks must be watched, as customers can easily ram into racks that are bare of merchandise and injure themselves. Spills should be cleaned up promptly.

These tips can help you avoid making headlines this holiday season for all the wrong reasons. In a retail environment it is of course a priority to make sales, but keeping employees and customers safe must be your highest priority. 

Black Friday Tips

Black Friday is just over a week away. Are you planning on braving the crowds to get some holiday deals? Well there’s a few things you should keep in mind before you go.

One:  Check out the ads before you shop. You can find some of them online already. Now is the time to compare prices and find out where the best deals are. Once you’ve found them, have a list of the stores you want to hit and the items you want to buy.

Two: Have a plan in place before you want to leave to shop. Know which stores you want to check out, and place them in an order. Some stores open Thanksgiving for a limited time before closing, some open Thanksgiving and stay open overnight, and some don’t open until Black Friday. Knowing store hours and doorbuster schedules is important to scoring the best deals.

Three: Check online sales before you go shopping. It’s possible that retail locations are offering the same deals, or even better, online. If the items you want are a better price online you can do all your shopping from home and avoid the crowds.

Four: If possible, avoid waiting in line for a store to open. Store openings have cause injuries and even deaths on Black Friday due to unruly customers trying to get to their sales. An easy way to avoid this is to start shopping several hours after stores have already opened. Besides, this means you can relax at home and finish up dinner instead of standing in a long line!  

Five: When you are physically in the store, be aware of your surroundings. It is often possible to notice if a situation is going to escalate. Watch for individual shoppers that are particularly loud, disruptive, angry, and rushed. One of these shoppers can spur on others. If you notice a disturbance in an area of a store starting, remove yourself from the situation and alert store staff or security.

Six: Practice car safety while driving and parking. It’s not worth the risk to race another car for a parking spot or to get through a yellow light. Actions like these are what lead to accidents. Keep in mind that while you are in parking lots, there will be a great deal of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. If you are driving always yield to pedestrians and vehicles. If you are a pedestrian do not trust cars to stop for you. Always be aware of what is happening around you.

Seven: Keep a close eye on your possessions while you shop. Black Friday is very crowded, and it makes it a prime time for thieves to try and steal your money, purchases, and even your identity. Carry a purse that zips to keep hands away from your wallet. Always keep your items you’ve purchased out of sight in your car. At the register, make sure no one near you is in a position to view your credit or debit card details.

Black Friday has become a tradition here in America, but never forget the risks involved when there are large crowds in small areas. Keep safe out there! 

Managing Crowds with Prices

It is common to control crowds with crowd control barriers, security, and signage, but one method that is often forgotten about is crowd control due to pricing.

It’s a method that is often only implemented by large companies that have already found a loyal audience. This strategy for crowd control is usually only used for one reason, which is that the venue or event is already overcrowded.

Overcrowding causes serious problems for venues and events. First off, it is a safety concern. Too many people can lead to injuries because of jostling, overheating, and more. Secondly, if the crowding is too bad it makes it difficult for emergency responders to get to the people who do need aid. Overcrowding also makes the event or venue unpleasant for customers. It leads to long wait times and difficulty navigating from place to place.

This is why some companies and events attempt to control the crowds with prices, and in some cases it can be very effective. Take a look at Disney as an example. Disneyland recently announced that there will be price increases at their park, along with the elimination of some annual passes with the addition of new ones. The most expensive pass available is the Signature Plus pass, which will cost individuals $1,049 and is valid every day of the year. This is $270 more than the Premium pass cost, which had the same perks before it was eliminated.  Annual passes are often a big contribution to overcrowding. Disney has been forced to take action due to a large overcrowding problem that leads to them closing the gates to new visitors on days when the park reaches capacity, leaving customers unhappy and Disney losing money.

A strategy such as this is not limited only to very large companies such as Disney. This is implemented by all sorts of organizations and events. For example, Anime Central, an anime convention in North America, has started to raise prices as the crowds grow every year. This three day convention is the third largest anime convention in North America, with a reported attendance of over 29,000 in 2014. Years ago, when attendance was between 10,000 and 18,000, badges to the event could be obtained for under $40 if attendees bought early. For the 2016 event the cheapest option is $48, increasing up to $70 the closer to the convention you get. In addition, hotel prices have gone up for the next year as well. It is widely speculated that this is an attempt to keep attendance level instead of increasing further. Anime Central sells out an average of four or more hotels in the area, and with that many people in one place crowds get difficult to manage. For the 2016 convention when the room block for two of the hotels was opened they both sold out in under 12 hours, with one hotel selling out in less than one hour. Unless the convention wishes to put a cap on attendance like Comic Con, the only thing they can do is raise prices to try and keep crowds down.

However, using price increases as a form of crowd control is a delicate balance. There will always be people who are willing to pay the price for a popular event or attraction, but if you raise prices too much at one time you may turn away a lot of other people. If you plan to employ this type of crowd control do so with caution.   

Controlling Crowds During Pope Visit

Approximately a week from now, the pope will arrive in Philadelphia. This news has brought a strong mix of reactions. Some people are very excited, some are angry, and some are tired just thinking about navigating the city for those particular days. Officials have been planning for months, amid public praise and outcry over certain practices. Campaigns have been designed to get citizens excited about this visit after backlash due to the logistics of the pope’s visit. Even now, businesses are questioning if they should remain open for the event, or simply close their doors.

Planning and executing crowd control for such a large event is not easy. It takes a great deal of patience and cooperation from many different groups. So what are these groups doing to make this a secure event?

First off, there will be a great deal of road closures, train station closures, and additional public transportation closures. Travel by train has been overhauled for the event. These trains will only travel along certain lines and from certain stations. Many stations will be closed. This also holds true for busses and trolleys, which have modified schedules during the duration of the visit. For individuals hoping to avoid public transportation all weekend and simply drive, they must check on road closures. Multiple highways and bridges will be closed, making travel through the city difficult and long. There are also major roads within the city that vehicles will not be allowed into at all. Residents have been advised to avoid traveling by vehicle during the weekend, as traffic congestion along open roads will be severe.

As vehicles are not allowed within a certain zone, those individuals wishing to see the pope, or even get to work, will have to walk. Pedestrians will have to pass through a security checkpoint before continuing. Once through security, pedestrians will be forced to walk. To make sure people’s views of the pope are not obscured, the main form of crowd control will be 3 ½ foot tall barricades. This is to prevent pedestrians from moving into restricted areas, while still giving them the opportunity to see. For people unable to see the stage, there are plans to broadcast the event on large screens across the area. There will be larger fencing used to secure the perimeter, but this should not obscure the view of people actually inside the perimeter for the event.

Certain services in specific parts of the city will be restricted or removed altogether. For example, mail will not be delivered to certain zip codes. Emergency services will be harder to receive, particularly for occasions such as repairs. There will be plenty of security on hand however, including the National Guard, Secret Service, and more.

Something else to be considered that cannot be controlled is the weather. Many of the pope’s events take place outdoors, and with an estimated 1 million people flocking in for this visit, having a plan for severe weather is essential. That National Weather Service will be providing frequent updates. Individuals may sign up for text alerts regarding weather. In the event that people need to take shelter, officials will usher people into parking garages, hotels, and local businesses. This must happen in advance of a weather event, as there will be many people that need to move to safety. Luckily, severe weather at this time of the year in Philadelphia is rare, but people must still be prepared.  

While the pope’s visit is sure to cause many headaches, it will be well worth the crowd control efforts. 

Holiday Travel Tips

Labor Day weekend begins today. Are you prepared for the crowds that come with it? Keep in mind that gas prices for Labor Day this year are the lowest they’ve been in about a decade. That means a lot of people are going to be on the roads or flying out to visit family, friends, and travel destinations.

While this is great and will lead to long weekends of fun for many people, there are negative side effects. The biggest one is that with more people on the roads, there’s going to be a lot more traffic congestion, delays, and accidents.

Crowd control in a pedestrian environment is entirely different than crowd control of vehicles. Outside of blocking off certain streets, there’s little that can be done in regards to crowds of drivers on the road. We’ve compiled a list of tips for our readers to follow to help them keep safe while on the roads.

·         Before you leave on your trip, check on your car. All maintenance needed should be done so you don’t run into any problems while on the road. Fill up your gas tank as well. A trip that normally takes two hours may take three or four with heavy traffic, so have a full tank of gas!

·         Try to avoid driving during peak travel times. Friday afternoon is predicted to be the worst time for travel this upcoming weekend. If possible, leave earlier on Friday or Saturday morning for lighter traffic. Monday, get on the road in the early afternoon or wait until later that night to avoid more peak traffic.

·         While you are actually on the roads, be a defensive driver. Keep a close eye on traffic patterns and keep your speed to an acceptable level. Everyone is in a hurry to enjoy their weekend, but speeding can be very dangerous, especially when there is a great deal of traffic. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination, and don’t rush.

·         If you have been drinking, are tired, or are distracted, get off the road. It’s not worth risking your life to get to a destination. Have someone else drive in these circumstances, or wait until you are safely able to operate a vehicle.

·         Be patient. Accept that you will run into traffic. The road is not just for you, so take your time and respect others who are on the road.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t go out and have a great weekend. You should! Just exercise proper precautions, and have a great time! 

The Ocean and Safety

It’s summer, and a popular destination for vacation is, understandably, the beach. A day at the beach can make for some great memories. However the ocean comes with a huge host of dangers, some from the water itself, and some from the people. It’s important to practice safety when you head to the ocean for the day.

First, we want to address the issue of crowd safety.

Be aware of the time of day and year that you are going to the beach. If possible, avoid going around major holidays, when many other people will be heading to the beach. Huge crowds can be a problem for a number of reasons. More people means less attention for you from the lifeguards, simply because there are so many people to watch. If you have children, it is easy for them to get lost in big crowds and harder for you to keep an eye on them. This goes for both in and out of the water. Out of the water be sure your children are nearby. In the water, keep a close eye on your child while they swim. Even better, always go in the water with them.

You also have to be selective of what beach you choose. If you are taking children make sure the beach you select is family friendly. If not, be sure the beach has the type of crowd you want to participate in. Some beaches have rowdy crowds, forcing you to take extra safety precautions.

The other thing we want to address is water safety.

The best thing you can do when swimming in the ocean is swim with a swim buddy. In addition, always swim within view of a lifeguard. When you take these steps if something goes wrong it is easier to get help. The leading cause of swimming related incidents has to do with rip currents. Read up on the specifics of rip currents so you know how to escape if you get caught in one. Be sure to watch out for aquatic life as well. People know to watch for sharks, but that’s not the only danger out there. Jellyfish, and even some plants can be dangerous, so keep your distance.

Another tip is to always keep your eye on the weather. Check the forecast before you go, and periodically while you are there. If you see lightning, even in the distance, get out of the water. Weather conditions can change very quickly, so you need to be paying attention.

We don’t say any of this to dissuade anyone from heading to the beach for vacation. The ocean is a fascinating, relaxing, and fun thing to experience. We simply remind you that despite this, there are dangers to be aware of. Use common sense, stay safe, and enjoy the beach! 

Kids and Crowds

We are early into the month of July, which is prime vacation season. Maybe you are going on a big trip to a tourist destination such as Disney World. Maybe you have big events you plan on attending, such as big fairs and festivals. Or perhaps it’s something as simple as a company picnic. No matter what the event, keeping track of children in a crowd can be a huge challenge.

You can make this much less stressful on yourself with a bit of planning and preparation. For the most part, keeping track of kids in crowds uses the same basic strategies no matter the venue you may be in. The strategy does change however, based on the age of the kids. There is a big difference between watching a child who is 4, and one who is 14.

No matter what the ages are though, the most important thing to do is be sure your family has some type of action plan. This includes many things. First, you should have a meeting place picked out in case of emergency. This place should be a safe distance from the crowded festival grounds, but not too far away. Similarly, there should be a dedicated spot within the event venue to meet if separated.

Another good idea for all members of the family is to take a family photo before you go. That way if something happens, you have a recent picture available and you won’t be faced trying to explain what your child looks like or what they are wearing.

For younger kids, it’s a good idea to make them stand out so they are easy to spot. Maybe dress them in bright colors you can easily see, or in something they wear often so you’ll know to look for it. If they have a favorite hat they wear on a near daily basis that is something your eyes will naturally drift to.   

You should also put your phone number somewhere on your child, whether it is on paper in their pocket, or written on their arm. This will make it easy to get in contact with you if you end up separated, especially for young ones who may have a hard time remembering a phone number.

And of course, teach your children about who to go to for help. While the police is the most obvious choice, that may not always be possible. Advise them to go to information booths. If that fails, they should talk to women who have young children, as they are likely mothers with children who would be willing to help. 

These tips should give you a bit of peace of mind while you are out in crowds with your children. Don’t let the crowds stop you from taking children out, just be prepared!