Summertime and outdoor dance and music festivals go hand in hand but can present certain dangers such as over-exposure to the sun, heat exhaustion, insect bites, and food spoilage. Here’s some timely tips for keeping danger at bay while having the time of your life.

Proper Food Storage
To experience a festival is to camp but camping brings its own set of challenges especially keeping your food supply properly stored. You want to take care to preserve the integrity of your food that must be kept cold.
• Buy a good cooler with double insulated walls; don’t cut corners by buying a less expensive cooler. You will want one rated to keep things cool for 2 or 3 days.
• Use frozen 5 gallon water jugs for ice. It keeps frozen longer than cubes and the cooler doesn’t fill with water from the melted cubes of ice.
• Freeze meats, juices and drinking water and pack into cooler while still frozen. Each will thaw slowly in the iced packed cooler. Plus you will need less ice and have more room in your cooler for other items.
• Place your cooler in a shaded area of your camp and try to limit the number of times you open it.

Avoiding Sun and Heat Exposure
Often there is very little relief from the sun at a festival so precautions are necessary.
• Apply at least 30 - 45spc sun screen everywhere your skin is exposed to the sun. Reapply periodically throughout the day.
• Wear a hat. If the sun and heat is very intense, soak the hat in ice water before putting it on your head.
• Soak a cooling scarf, neckachief, or face cloth in ice water and place on the back of your neck. Resoak and apply regularly throughout the day.
• Take advantage of shade and misting tents when available.
• Go to the workshop or master stage tents where you will find intimate performances by your favorite artists and get yourself out of the direct sunlight.
• Ventilate your tent or camper well.

Insect Bites
Many festivals are held in grassy or hay fields where insects can be quite a nuisance.
• Use citronella lanterns or candles around your campsite but be sure to extinguish them when the camp will be unattended.
• Apply bug spray or wipes to all exposed skin areas at dusk and throughout the evening hours. If the festival is held in an area where ticks are prevalent be sure to use a repellant specifically for ticks. Be ever vigilant against tick bites.

Taking proper precautions will assure that your festival event will be a memorable occasion. The danger is minimal when you take proper care. So go, and enjoy!