Safety Tips for Large Events

By Allison Johnson
Blog Content Contributor

The world is aching for the victims and their loved ones. What happened in Las Vegas is sickening and the work of the devil. Situations like this cause people to want to stay cooped up at home when they should be out enjoying a concert or movie. We can’t live in fear. We would be letting them win if we did. Our brave nation deserves to be able to go out to an event and enjoy it, without fear of an attack.

I understand why future attendees of large events are wary of what’s to come when they’re in a large crowd. We will probably feel a sense of anxiety. How could we not? A lot of us don’t know the victims and their families, although we felt their pain reading the news. It could have been anyone. A lot of us could be targets in a large crowd of people at any moment. It’s scary, and gives me an unsettling feeling in my stomach, but it’s also why I can’t submit to staying home.

We could have just given up on using airports and attending college when evil individuals took lives there. We didn’t, though. We don’t know the day or hour when our time will come, so live life normally. However, there are things we can all do to increase our safety.

1. Assign a meeting spot in case your group gets separated. You’re bound to get split up at large events for any reasons. Whether it’s trip to the concession stand, bathroom, or splitting up to see different sets, it will happen. To find each other easily, have a meeting location set up prior to splitting up, or identify a worker to help you find an easily accessible area of the venue. Also, share your location on your phone with your group!
2. Have everyone’s numbers. Memorize them, or write it down with a sharpie on your arm or a piece of paper. Keep a charged phone all day. Try not to drain your battery. It may be tempting to snap a photo everywhere, so buy a disposable camera to save battery life. Also, Walmart sells portable chargers at a low price. Charge one up the night before an event and use it closer to the end of the night.
3. Get familiar with exits. Know how you would get to the exit fast if an emergency were to happen.
4. If you see or hear anything suspicious, let law enforcement know. It’s better for them to check out something and it turn out not be a threat than for something bad to happen. Don’t be scared to speak up.
5. If chaos does arise in a large crowd, get away from the problem. It may be tempting to want to get closer to see what’s going on, but you never know what could happen next.
6. I pray you are never in this situation, but if you do hear gunshots, try your best to keep your head covered and run. If you can’t run, hide somewhere that could shield you until you reach safety.
7. Denver’s Emergency Manager, Ryan Broughten, suggests, “Be prepared for the worst. Know some basic first aid, like how to stop bleeding, and if possible bring a small first-aid kit.”

Stay safe, everyone. Continue praying for victims and their families. If you can do anything to help a person or family affected by this tragedy, do it. Whether it’s donating for medical bills, or sending a get-well card, it matters. Make a difference.

Featured image by Renee Dominguez.