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Planning Ahead this Summer: The First Step in Festival Safety
Summer often brings a feeling of freedom. The end of school, college or university and longer days can mean more opportunities to socialise, attend festivals and spend time outdoors.
But excitement, alcohol, drugs and peer pressure can sometimes lead people to take risks they wouldn't usually take. Taking a few minutes to plan ahead is one of the most effective festival safety tips and can help prevent a fun day from turning into a stressful one.
Before you head out, ask yourself:
- Do I know how I'm getting home?
- Have I got enough money, water and a charged phone?
- Am I with people I trust?
- Does someone know where I am?
- What's my plan if something goes wrong?
Making a few sensible decisions beforehand can help prevent a fun day from turning into a stressful one.
Drug Safety and Harm Reduction Advice
If You Are Planning on Taking Drugs
If you are planning on taking drugs, understanding the risks and making informed decisions can help reduce harm.
Here are some important festival harm reduction and safer drug use tips:
- Start Low, Go Slow – pace yourself if using alcohol or substances. Use a small amount at first to test the strength and pace yourself when using substances.
- Look After Your Mates – Stay together, keep an eye on each other a call for help if your worried about your friend.
- Leave the Mixing to the DJ – Mixing different drugs and alcohol can lead to unexpected reactions and overdose. Avoid mixing substances if you can.
- Test your Drugs - If you’re planning to using drugs in advance, consider getting a sample tested through WEDINOS
- Stay Hydrated and Shaded – Take plenty of breaks from the sun, regularly reapply sun cream and drink plenty of water (no more than a pint over an hour)
- Call 999 if someone becomes ill – share your location and explain the situation.
Looking for information about ketamine, MDMA, ecstasy, cocaine, nitrous oxide (NOS), Spice or other drugs?
Turning Point's Substance Cards offer clear, practical guidance on the effects of different substances, potential health risks, overdose warning signs and harm reduction advice. Designed to give you a quick way to access reliable information and stay safer .
Know the Signs of an Overdose
Overdose awareness is an important part of festival drug safety, but can be useful in any summer party environment.
If someone has taken drugs, or mixed drugs with alcohol, it's important to recognise when they need emergency medical help.
Know the Signs of an Opioid Overdose:
- Unresponsive
- Breathing has shallowed or stopped
- Blue, grey or pale lips and fingertips
- Pale or ashen skin
- Snoring or rattling breath
Know the Signs of Stimulant Overdose
Physical signs of a stimulant overdose may include:
- Hot, flushed or sweaty skin
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Unsteadiness
- Rigid muscles, tremors or spasms
- Uncontrolled movements or seizures
- Difficulty breathing
Psychological signs of a stimulant overdose may include:
- Psychotic symptoms in individuals with no prior mental illness
- Severe agitation or panic
- Altered mental state, such as confusion or disorientation.
If you think someone may be overdosing, call 999 immediately
Emergency services are there to save lives.
Don't worry about getting someone into trouble.
While waiting for help:
- Stay with them
- Keep them awake if possible
- If they're unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position
- Tell emergency responders honestly what substances may have been taken
Carry Naloxone
Naloxone is a FIRST AID medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
Because you cannot always know what substances or contaminants may be present in drugs, carrying naloxone is an important harm reduction measure.
Having a naloxone kit available could help save the life of a friend, family member or someone at a festival or event.
Turning Point offers free naloxone kits and overdose awareness training for young people and adults.
Alcohol Safety and Hot Weather Advice
Many people don't realise how much alcohol and drugs can affect the body during hot weather.
Stay Hydrated
Alcohol can cause dehydration, and hot weather makes this worse. Some drugs can also increase your body temperature and make it harder for your body to cool itself down.
To reduce your risk:
- Drink water regularly throughout the day. No more than a pint over an hour
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water.
- Take breaks in the shade.
- Use/reapply sun cream regularly
- Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol quickly.
- Eat regularly before and while drinking.
Watch Out for Overheating
Being in crowded spaces such as festivals, football fan zones, concerts or clubs can increase the risk of overheating.
Signs you're becoming overheated include:
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Headaches
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling confused or disoriented
If someone appears unwell:
- Move them to a cool place.
- Encourage them to sip water.
- Loosen tight clothing.
- Seek medical help if symptoms worsen or they become confused or unconscious.
Festival Safety Tips for Gigs and Large Events
Large events can be exciting but overwhelming.
To stay safe follow the key harm reduction advice:
- Take breaks from crowds if needed.
- Store emergency contacts in your phone.
- Keep valuables secure.
- Arrange a meeting spot with your friends and stay together.
- Be cautious about accepting drinks or substances from people you don't know.
- Don't leave your drink unattended.
- When you arrive figure out where the welfare tents are.
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and speak to festive welfare staff - they are there to help you.
Harm Reduction: Looking After Your Friends
One of the simplest ways to reduce harm is to look out for each other.
Agree a Plan
Before going out:
- Stick together where possible.
- Agree a meeting point.
- Share phone numbers.
- Make sure everyone's phone is charged.
Check In
If a friend seems:
- Much more intoxicated than usual
- Confused or disoriented
- Struggling to stay awake
- Distressed or anxious
Don't ignore it. Stay with them, get support and make sure they get home safely.
Remember: a good friend doesn't leave someone behind because they're "too drunk" or "too messy."
Harm Reduction at House Parties, BBQs Park Drinks and Summer Days Out
Whether you're heading to a house party, meeting friends in the park or spending the day at the beach, a little planning can help keep you safe.
Before you go:
- If you’re planning to use drugs in advance, consider getting a sample tested through WEDINOS
- Tell someone where you'll be
- Know how you're getting home
- Keep your phone charged and take a power bank or charger
- Take water, sunscreen and a hat
- Bring food or snacks for the day
While you're there:
- Keep an eye on your belongings
- Watch your own drinks
- Avoid mixing alcohol and drugs
- Drink water regularly, especially in hot weather
- Take breaks in the shade if you're feeling too hot
Heat exhaustion and dehydration can happen quickly, particularly if you've been drinking alcohol, using drugs or spending long periods in the sun.
Most importantly, never feel pressured to drink, take drugs or do anything you're not comfortable with.
If a situation doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and leave.
Spiking Awareness
Unfortunately, drink and drug spiking can happen at venues, parties and events.
Protect yourself by:
- Use an anti-spiking drinks cover or a bottle stopper, if they’re available.
- Keeping your drink with you.
- Not accepting open drinks from strangers.
- Watching drinks being prepared.
- Looking out for your friends.
If you think you've been spiked:
- Tell someone you trust immediately.
- Get medical help.
- Contact the police as soon as possible.
Sexual Health Matters
Summer relationships, flirting and hook-ups can be exciting, but sexual health should never be an afterthought.
Remember:
- Use condoms to help protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.
- Carry your own protection if you may need it.
- Talk openly with partners.
- Respect boundaries.
- Get tested for STIs if you do have unprotected sex.
Consent Is Essential
Consent must always be:
- Freely given
- Enthusiastic
- Ongoing
- Reversible
A person who is very drunk or under the influence of drugs cannot give informed consent. If you're unsure, stop and check in.
Feeling Lonely, Left Out or Struggling?
Summer can be fun, but it's not enjoyable for everyone.
Social media can make it seem like everyone else is having the perfect summer. The reality is that many people experience loneliness, anxiety, low mood or feelings of isolation during the holidays and summer breaks.
If you're feeling:
- Left out
- Lonely
- Worried about your drinking or drug use
- Pressured by friends
- Anxious about relationships or sex
You're not alone, and support is available.
Need Support?
Free, confidential and specialist support is available for adults, young people, families and anyone affected by drug or alcohol use and mental health support.