Gardaí in Waterford issue advice to festival-goers this summer

Gardaí in Waterford have issued crime prevention advice for those attending festivals and concerts.

A spokesperson for the gardaí said: "Festivals and concerts are a lot of fun but they can be intense and tiring too. With a number of big-name concerts and festivals in the coming weeks, including Longitude, All Together Now, and Electric Picnic, we’ve put together some tips for ensuring you have a fun, safe and stress-free festival experience."

In particular, gardaí are appealing to festival goers to mind your drinks.

They said too much alcohol and not enough water can lead to dehydration and lower inhibitions.

"Drinking too much alcohol at a concert is dangerous as it can cause dehydration. This is a real problem at music festivals as people often hydrate less, overexert themselves and then become overheated. Alcohol also lowers your inhibitions, which raises your risk of doing something regrettable or dangerous.

"There is also the risk that someone may slip drugs into your drink. These drugs can make a person unable to move, think clearly or remember what happened later, setting the victim to be sexually assaulted or otherwise taken advantage of. Never let your drink out of your sight. If you lose track of it, get rid of it and get another one. Also, never accept drinks from strangers," said the spokesperson.

The gardaí are also asking people to be mindful of the community in the area where the festival is set.

"There is a zero-tolerance policy on anti-social behaviour, including public intoxication and illegal drug use at festivals and concerts, but this also extends to before and after concerts and festivals too.

"You should respect local residents and their community by not engaging in any anti-social behaviour. Please respect the property and privacy of local residents, said the spokesperson.

ADVICE 

Here are a few ways to prepare to stay safe:

• Plan ahead – Plan your journey to and from the event, consider public transport options, carpooling or even taxis. Allow ample time for travel, especially for large-scale events.

• Stick Together – as the saying goes, there is strength in numbers. Even though you might think that you’ll always be with your friends throughout the day and night, it’s very easy to get separated at a festival. It might be useful to have a buddy system so that everyone in your group is with someone at all times. Don’t walk to or through the parking lot or anywhere at a concert or festival alone.
• Pick a meeting place – in the event that you do get separated from your group, and they can’t hear your calls or your phone is dead, agree on a meeting point should anyone get separated from the group. Make sure everyone is aware that this will be the meeting point for the entire festival should it happen multiple times.
• Stay hydrated – Bring your own water bottles or check if the venue has water stations and bring a reusable bottle. Sip early and often so you don’t get dehydrated. This is especially important if it’s a very hot or sunny day.
• Bring a portable charger – Stuff happens, phone batteries run out, maybe you have forgotten where the meeting spot is or need to text to arrange to be collected. At a festival or concert, you don’t want to be without your phone so a small portable charger is always a good idea.
• Wear Sunscreen – it’s important to put on the sunscreen every morning but also to find some shade in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest.
• Know how you’re getting home – The last thing you need on a Sunday night is to be wandering a rapidly emptying field or venue trying to find a lift home. If your driver leaves early or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, call home for a ride. Never leave with intoxicated friends or with people you’ve just met. New acquaintances may seem nice, but getting in the car with them can be dangerous.
• Leave valuables at home – avoid bringing large amounts of cash or expensive items to the event.

If you have any concerns while at a festival, don’t hesitate to approach Gardaí or event staff for assistance if you need it.