As the festival season approaches, many of us will be making our way to various festivals around the country.

Festivals are all about having the experience of your life and having fun with your friends. With these events taking place on the hottest days of the year, it may be helpful to know how to keep yourself and your friends safe.

Whether this is your first festival or fifth, they can come across as unfamiliar territory. To help you, we have put together some general tips to keep you safe this summer.

Always stay hydrated

During festivals, we only want scorching sun on our backs. As well all know, British festivals are not unknown for having a few rainy spells.

It's crucial to stay hydrated come rain or shine. Staying hydrated is key to regulating body temperature. On a hot day, try to consume 250ml of water every hour. Doing this will help you avoid dehydration.

Most festivals now have free water refill stations located throughout the festival. Take full advantage of this and take your water bottle with you everywhere. Staying hydrated can save your life.

Protect yourself from the sun

You will be surprised how quickly you can get burnt during your day in the crowds.

Putting on your best shorts and t-shirt is a great way to stay cool in the sun, but you need to wear the correct sun protection too. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including the face, neck, and ears. This will protect you from damaging UV rays. 

Set a meeting point

Even if your festival only lasts one day, we recommend setting a meeting point at the start of the day for if (or maybe when) you lose your mates.

Choose a flag pole or landmark, something you can easily find at night. If you lose each other in the crowd, meet at the location after the set has finished. If you go for food separately, agree to meet back at your checkpoint with your food.

Know exactly where the medical tent is

We're here to break the stigma around visiting the medical tent. Should you need to visit the tent, you won't be in trouble or have anything held against you.

When you first arrive at your festival, locate the medical tent. Should you or a friend start feeling unwell, you will be able to find your way to the medical tent. They can offer some reassurance and any medication if it is needed.