Chicago hosts some amazing festivals in the summer, including music festivals like Lollapalooza and events for foodies like the Chicago Food Truck Fest. While attending one of these festivals can be a great experience, it’s important to stay safe. As long as you take a few precautions, nothing will get in the way of your fun in the sun.

Find Safety In Numbers

Bring a friend or two with you so that you can watch out for each other. Before the event begins, choose a designated meeting place where you can reconnect if you happen to get separated.

If you’re planning on drinking heavily during the event, you may want to have one member of the group serve as a sober buddy. There are people at festivals that will try to take advantage of inebriated people. As long as you’re at the event with a sober buddy, you’ll have someone to keep you safe.

Make Hydration a Priority

Dehydration can be a major risk at summer festivals. You need to drink more water when you’re sweating in the sun, but unfortunately, many festivals don’t allow you to bring bottled water to the event. You’ll need to plan so that you can drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Bring a refillable water bottle with you so that you can easily access water. Check the map for the event and find out where you can fill your bottle with water. Since alcohol can be dehydrating, you’ll have to consume even more water if you’re planning on drinking.

Keep Your Belongings Secure

It isn’t easy to protect your belongings when you’re at a large event, which is why you should only bring what you absolutely need. Store essential belongings in a backpack that you can easily carry with you. Leave expensive jewelry and other valuables at home.

If there are additional items you need to take with you, entrust your belongings to a short-term Chicago luggage storage company like Vertoe. Vertoe has secure storage locations across Chicago, making it easy for you to keep your things safe. You can store your items in a convenient location during the festival and access them as needed.

Dress Appropriately

Fashion can be part of the fun at a festival. But make sure that the clothing you wear will keep you comfortable throughout the day. If possible, wear clothing made from breathable fabrics, like cotton or linen. Some synthetic fabrics, like nylon and polyester, will also let your skin breathe.

Finding the right footwear is also important. Make sure you wear closed-toe shoes so that your feet will be fully protected. The ground at festivals can be muddy, which is why boots with rubber soles are a solid choice.

The weather in Chicago can be unpredictable, even during the summer, which is why you should also try to prepare for a sudden change in weather. A rain poncho can keep you dry and comfortable if it starts raining during the event.

Don’t Skip the Sunscreen

On a hot summer day, your skin can burn in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. If you spend hours in the sun without protection, you could end up with a nasty sunburn.

Before you head out, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your face and your body. Sunscreen only provides full protection for two hours, so you’ll need to reapply your sunblock throughout the day. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can give you extra protection from the sun’s rays.

You’ll be able to fully enjoy Chicago summer festivals if you take steps to keep yourself safe. Not only will these safeguards help you have fun during the festival, but they’ll help you to feel great after the event is over.