All too often, concerts and festivals can be breeding grounds for health hazards and criminal activity.

 

Due to the number and variety of potential health risks that may arise at these events, it can be hard to know how to stay safe. Preparation is key—it may be a good idea to devise a safety plan in the event of a dangerous event at indoor and outdoor concert venues.

 

Crowd crushes or surges

 

Tightly packed concert venues can create risks for crowd crushes, surges, or sometimes deadly incidents in which people are packed so tightly that they trip over one another or struggle for air. They can lose consciousness, get injured, stop breathing, or even die in these scenarios. A massive crowd surge occurred at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in November 2021, resulting in 10 deaths.

Willingham L, Miller K. 10 people died at the Astroworld music festival two years ago. Will anyone be held accountable? The Associated Press. July 29, 2023.

 

Sports medicine and crowd control experts recommend familiarizing yourself with exits when you arrive at a concert venue so you know how to escape in the event of a crowd surge.

Wolters C. The Difference Between Crowd Crush and Stampede. Verywell Health. November 3, 2022.

If distress is apparent or you see heads bobbing up and down—a potential sign that people are packed together too tightly—it is in your best interest to leave the venue as soon as possible. 

 

 

Fires

 

Concert venues can, at times, spark fires. During a 2016 concert in Oakland, CA, a deadly fire started at the venue Ghost Ship, where an electronic music party was being held.

DeBolt D. 5 years after Oakland’s deadliest fire: Ghost Ship ‘frozen in time.’ The Oaklandside. December 2, 2021.

The venue was not equipped with smoke detectors or sprinkler systems, and the fire trapped and killed 36 people. 

 

Even in venues with fire safety equipment, it can be important to familiarize yourself with exit signs and escape routes in case dangers arise.

 

Weather-based risks

 

Weather-based risks, including too-high or too-low temperatures, can pose threats to people’s health during concerts or festivals. This can happen if the event is held outdoors in unstable weather, such as heat waves or storms, but it can even happen indoors. If temperatures are too hot, people may be at risk of dehydration or heat exhaustion, which can lead to extreme health consequences if left untreated.

 

Michael Sawyer, a travel expert and operations director at Ultimate Kilimanjaro, a guide and travel company, says the potential for extreme conditions means you should prepare for the worst when adventuring or attending a large-scale event. “It’s better to always do your homework right, and know how to dress, what to carry, and so on,” Sawyer says. He recommends choosing clothes that fit the predicted weather forecast, and for outdoor events, always carrying sunblock. 

Terry Green, a sports insurance professional and the president of eSportsInsurance who, at times, deals with injuries that arise at large events, adds, “Staying hydrated and taking breaks are key.” This will lower the risk of becoming dizzy or fainting at an event. Green encourages concert-goers to “drink plenty of water and take a seat if [they] feel unwell.”

 

Risks related to climate change

 

Climate change can influence environmental health hazards near concert venues or increase risks for the spread of infectious disease. 

 

Infectious diseases like COVID-19 can also spread in close crowds. When needed, wearing personal protective equipment like masks can help keep you safe from respiratory illnesses and from inhaling the types of fungal spores that cause Valley fever. Practicing good hand hygiene and social distancing when possible may also help keep you safe from viruses and infections at these events. Further, it can be a good idea to assess how you are feeling after a concert or festival and seek medical attention if you feel unwell.

 

Gun violence and acts of terror

 

The US is, unfortunately, all too familiar with gun violence and acts of terror—but they're not alone. In 2017, a terror attack, carried out by a suicide bomber, targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.

Prince William gives personal tribute to bombing victims. The Associated Press. May 10, 2022.

A total of 22 people died, 6 of whom were children. 

 

 

While it is practically impossible to plan for these acts of violence, it can be a good idea to choose events that are staffed with appropriate security systems and personnel. Familiarizing yourself with exits and letting a friend or family member know your location may also help you feel more safe.

Sawyer stresses the importance of assembling a list of emergency contacts before going to a concert so you can call on people you know if you need help. "This is very important because, in times of panic, you don’t have much time to reach out," he says. “If you ever see violence around you escalating, it’s best to be a quick decision-maker and leave."