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! 

Crowd Control for Outdoor Events

Summer is here, and with summer comes a large increase in outdoor events. There’s a huge variety of events that take place in summer, in all sorts of venues. Whether you are hosting a small church festival or a large, international music festival in the middle of the city, you need the proper items to control crowds, and you need to manage the crowds in an appropriate manner.

We’re here to offer solutions. Keeping track of crowds in these conditions isn’t easy, but it is doable when you go in with the correct strategy.

The first step is to find out exactly how much space you have, and have a rough estimate of how many attendees you are expecting. That will dictate how you move forward. The venue also makes a big difference. If you are holding an event in a street, you need a lot of coverage so no vehicles interfere. If it is in a park, there must be clear signage so attendees know where exactly they are to go.

Another important aspect that must be quickly decided is how to establish a perimeter. This is needed to keep track of who is coming in and who is coming out. Some venues already have a clear perimeter set up, but many do not. For those that do not, you have to determine what type of perimeter you plan to use. A popular option is to use some sort of fencing or barrier, which can easily be purchased. You may also choose to have personnel positioned around the perimeter, whether it is volunteers or security. This perimeter is important for security, so be sure you have a plan.

Speaking of planning, you need to have a plan for managing your crowds in case of safety concerns. Consider what may go wrong, no matter how big or small. What if there is inclement weather? There would be a plan in place for alerting attendees and informing them of where to go. What about other things, such as a child getting separated from their guardian? There needs to be specific locations to deal with these sorts of situations, with safe crowd control measures in place.

You must also have a security plan in place. Are you planning to hire security? Work with local or state agencies? Have that established far in advanced. Give them whatever information you can. This includes information about the event, expected attendance, different events being held at the event, and more.

And don’t forget that you need to keep your guests happy. Your crowd control efforts should serve their purpose, but they should not make guests feel unwelcome. Guests should not be afraid of security or feel threatened walking into your event. You want to make this event fun and memorable for your guests.

A lot goes into planning an outdoor event, and this is only some of it. We hope these tips will prove useful, and that your next outdoor event will be a success!

Crowds and Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. Are you prepared to tackle the crowds? It is being predicted that a record number of Americans will be traveling during this holiday weekend. This is being attributed to the fact that it is cheaper to travel this year compared to last.

Everyone is excited for a long weekend, but if you plan to travel you have to be patient. As there will be so many people out and about, travel times are going to be slow. This is the case whether you travel by car or plane, so be prepared.

If you are driving, there are several steps you can take. If it is possible, for instance, try not to leave during peak travel time. This would be Friday night and Monday night. Can you get off early and leave Friday morning? Leave early on Memorial Day? This will go a long way. You should also be sure to fill up your gas tank before leaving. If you can avoid stopping for gas, you can avoid busy gas stations. It’s also a good idea to check on your car. Check your car’s fluids. Make sure your tires aren't low. You’d hate your trip to be ruined because of a setback like that.

Flying? Be sure to get to the airport early, as lines are likely to be long. Make it interesting by planning on activities to do at the airport if you have extra time. Get a meal. Go shopping. It’s better than being late, as with the crowds getting a new flight will be difficult. You can save extra time by checking in for your flight at home and printing your boarding pass. Another good idea is to set up your phone to get alerts if your flight is delayed. That way as soon as you know you can begin making backup arrangements.  

Once you are at your destination, it is up to you. If you’re going to a specific vacation spot such as the beach, get there early. If you are visiting friends or family, you won’t have as many issues.

So pack up and get ready for the long weekend!

May Day Facts

What do you know about May Day? Did you know that it is often used as a day of protest, prompting the use of crowd control?

May Day is celebrated on the first day of May. It is not as widely celebrated in the United States, as the Puritans looked down on it. As such, much of the tradition was dropped. However there are still multiple people out there who celebrate it and use it as a day of protest. So today we want to offer a bit of advice for when you are out and about today.

May Day, also known as International Workers Day, often sees many protests across the world. These protests often center around worker’s rights. While you are not particularly likely to run into trouble, it is good to exercise caution.

This year is particularly different, as individuals are using the occasion to also bring attention to police brutality. Some rallies will focus on labor issues, some on immigration issues, and some on police brutality issues. Some of these rallies will actually focus on all of them at once.

Be prepared for the possibility of traffic delays, public transportation delays, and more. This is particularly likely if you live in a big city. Check your local news to see if rallies are planned so you may adjust your route as necessary.  

St. Patrick's Day Tips

Are you planning to go out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend? So are thousands of other people. Whether you are attending a parade in your town or going out for an Irish meal, it is important to be prepared to fight the crowds.

We’re here to offer some advice on handling the crowds at various events. It’s important to have fun of course, but it is equally important to be safe.

Parades:

St. Patrick’s Day parades get very crowded, especially in large cities. If you plan on attending one, have a strategy. You cannot expect to show up as the parade starts and get a good spot to watch. Often you must also park blocks away from the parade and walk the rest of the way, so be prepared if you have young children. Traffic is often congested so give yourself plenty of time, and drive safe.  

Restaurants:

Restaurants that serve Irish food are likely to be packed with people, especially at mealtime. If you are hoping to avoid the crowds, try going out to eat at a time that is less traditional. You will be more likely to be seated right away. If you go in and it is busy, give your name and stand out of the way of the doors while you wait for your table.

Pubs:

Like any other night, pubs can get fairly rowdy, especially on a holiday. Exercise the same caution you would when going out. Keep an eye on your belonging and be responsible.

As St. Patrick’s Day is a weekday this year, it is likely the majority of parties and events will be held over the weekend. That does not mean nothing will be happening the day of, though! Check with your town or city to see when events are being held so you don’t miss the party.

Most of all, have a safe and fun St. Patrick’s Day and don’t let the crowds get you down!  

Mardi Gras Celebration Safety

Mardi gras will be here in under a week. While many celebrations will be happening all across the USA, no one can deny that the biggest celebration of the holiday can be found in New Orleans. Every year, an estimated 1 million or more people flood into the city for the “biggest free party on earth”. If you are heading to New Orleans for the first time, you need to be prepared to deal with the large crowds.

The best thing you can do is know the rules and read up on safety tips so that you can enjoy the celebration safely. There are crowd control measures in place but with so many people, you have to be vigilant. We’ve compiled some tips regarding crowds for you below.

~ Keep personal effect such as coolers, blankets, ladders, etc at least six feet away from the curve while watching the parades.

~ Do not take up more space than you need. There are many people there to enjoy the festivities. Blocking traffic and other people from claiming a spot is unfair and unsafe.

~ Arrive early. It is generally recommended you arrive to a parade you want to see four hours early or more if you want a good spot. Some people camp out all day for their spot. Do not try to fight into the crowds right before a parade starts.

~ Respect the police. They are experts at crowd control and are overworked during this time of year. Follow their instructions to stay safe and out of trouble.

~ Do not reach down to pick up beads, doubloons, etc. With all the crowds, excitement, and movement, it can be dangerous. You may be knocked over or stepped on. If something is on the ground that you want, put your foot on it until there is a gap in the floats, then pick it up.

~ Exercise caution around floats. Crowds may swell forwards without notice and this can cause accidents. Keep an eye on the parades and the crowds, especially if you have children with you.

~ Never run into the street. Floats cannot easily stop and it is easy to be injured. Stay off to the sides and enjoy the parades from the curves.

~ Do not bring or display valuables while attending the celebrations. Thieves are numerous in crowds.

~ Unless you know the area, stick with the crowds. New Orleans has many pockets of safe and unsafe areas. Attempting to take alternate routes when you don’t know an area just to avoid crowds can be dangerous.

Exercise caution and common sense during this celebration and you will have a great time with a lot of fun memories. Go, be safe, and have fun!