Maintaining a safe environment for all guests, vendors and the general public should be your #1 priority when planning an event. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor event, there’s always the possibility of guests injury themselves. If you plan ahead, however, you can greatly reduce the risk of incidents occurring.
Fire Exits
Identify the location of fire exits at your event, ensuring they are clear and free of obstruction. If boxes or other items obstruct a fire exit, it could present a serious risk to the safety and well-being of attendees if a fire occurs. All fire exits should also be clearly labeled with signs, and illuminated in dark areas.
Maximum Occupancy
In addition to fire exits, all buildings must also display a maximum occupancy as per building and fire codes. It’s important to keep your attendees under this limit to ensure a safe environment.
Medical Support
Depending on the size of your event, you may want to hire medial professionals to assist during on-site emergencies. Food allergies, for instance, are an-too-common occurrence at large events. According to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), approximately 15 million Americans have a food allergy. While some food allergies are minor, others are more severe — or even life-threatening. With medical support on site, emergencies such as these can be easily treated.
Slip-and-Fall Hazards
One of the most common types of injuries sustained by event attendees is slip-and-falls. Before opening the doors to your event, perform a “dry run” while looking for potential slip-and-fall hazards. Recently polished floors, spilled liquids, and exposed cables can all pose a serious fall hazard to guests.
Outdoor Event Safety
No all events are hosted indoors; those hosted outdoors pose their own unique risks, such as heat exhaustion. Provide attendees with access to water, shaded areas, and even cooling “mist” stations to prevent heat exhaustion and other heat-related medical problems. Heat exhaustion is a serious condition that can lead to heat stroke if left untreated.
First Aid Kits
Are first aid kits available on site? When planning an event, identify the location of all first aid kits. If the venue doesn’t have any available, you should bring your own. You probably won’t need them, but it’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution in case someone is injured. First aid kits should include basic supplies such as sterile gauze bandages, sterile eye dressings, adhesive bandages, cloth tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, burn ointment, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers,