Festival Safety 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Head to the Main Stage

Festival season is officially here.

Whether you're heading to a massive multi-day event or a one-dayer in a field, there's nothing quite like it. Good music, great people, and memories that last forever.

But before you grab your wellies and glitter, it's worth taking five minutes to get clued up on festival safety — because knowing this stuff means you can actually enjoy yourself without anything getting in the way of your summer.

Here's everything you need to know before you head to that main stage.

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Keeping Your Drinks Safe

Drink spiking at festivals and events is unfortunately still a real issue, and staying switched on about your drink is one of the simplest things you can do to protect yourself and your mates.

Here's how to stay safe:

Never accept a drink from someone you don't know — if you haven't seen it poured, don't drink it
Always keep your drink in your hand and in your eye-line; never leave it unattended
Choose bottles and cans over open plastic cups where you can, since they're harder to tamper with
Watch your drink being poured at the bar, and if you're offered one, go with them to get it

Vape Spiking

If you vape, this one's especially important. Vape spiking has been making headlines over the past couple of summers, and it's something every festival-goer should be aware of.

Reports have included festival attendees collapsing within minutes of accepting a vape from a stranger — so the golden rule is simple: never share vapes with someone you don't know.

Here's what to keep in mind:

Don't accept a vape from a stranger, no matter how casually it's offered
Only buy vapes from legitimate retailers — avoid anything that isn't in its original, sealed packaging
Legit UK vapes will have a serial number, nicotine warnings on the packaging, and must have a maximum capacity of 2ml and nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml
Keep your vape device with you and don't let it out of your sight
If you suddenly feel unwell after vaping, find the nearest medical welfare tent immediately and tell them what happened

Dealing With Excessive Heat

A British summer is unpredictable, but when the sun does come out at a festival, it can get seriously hot — and heat-related illness is more common than you'd think when you're dancing, drinking, and standing in the sun all day.

Stay safe in the heat by:

Staying hydrated — most festivals let you bring a reusable water bottle in, and free refill stations are usually dotted around the site. Use them.
Balancing alcoholic drinks with water — alcohol dehydrates you, so alternate with water throughout the day
Applying sunscreen before you leave your tent and again throughout the day — take a travel-size bottle with you
Wearing light, loose clothing — breathable fabrics make a real difference when you're in a crowd
Taking breaks in the shade — don't push through if you're feeling the heat
Recognising heatstroke — dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and heavy breathing are all warning signs; sit down, cool down, and seek help if symptoms don't improve quickly

If Someone Doesn't Look Quite Right

Whether it's from spiking, the heat, or just a bit too much of a good time, knowing what to look out for in a friend could make a real difference. These are the signs that someone needs help:

Loss of balance
Confusion
Vomiting
Visual problems
Loss of inhibition
Unconsciousness

If you notice any of these, act quickly. Find a festival steward or security staff and get them to call for medical help. If you're struggling to find someone, call 999. Don't leave the person alone, keep them talking if you can, and stop them from drinking any more.

Festivals are one of the best experiences summer has to offer — and a little bit of knowledge goes a long way in making sure yours is one to remember for the right reasons. Check in on your mates, keep an eye on your drink and your vape, stay hydrated, and don't be afraid to ask for help if something feels wrong.

Now go and have the best summer!

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