This week, thousands of festival goers will be descending to Mbombela to attend the Innibos festival of theatre, music, art and books taking place from 27 to 30 June at Mbombela farm.

Fidelity Services Group has called for festival goers to keep safety top of mind.

Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group says that while safety is a priority for the event organisers at many of these events, everyone who attends should also take responsibility for their own safety.

She offers these easy safety tips for festival goers in a possibly unfamiliar area:

• If you are driving make sure you consider installing a vehicle tracking device like Fidelity SecureDrive, where your location is updated on the mobile applications every two seconds providing true real-time live tracking. Knowing exactly where you are means accident alerts can be received in real time resulting in faster emergency dispatching where every second counts.
• Theft alerts or panic button activations similarly will save lives when response units are dispatched without delay.
• Never carry large amounts of cash or go out wearing flashy or expensive jewellery.
• If your accommodation is a holiday house or apartment, make sure all the doors are locked, the windows are properly shut and that the alarm is activated if a system is installed.
• When out at different events and activities, be aware of your surroundings and arrange with your friends to keep an eye on each other and your belongings.
• Do not accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drinks unattended. Spiking of drinks is still rife.
• Learn the lay of the land – When you first get to the festival, check out what is where (and not just which bands are playing and in which tent). Festivals can be confusing places, so it is important to know where the toilets, first aid, food stalls, camping and chill-out zones are. “Most festivals provide a map, or you could just walk around and explore. Ask staff where any emergency exit points are,” suggests Hattingh.
• Driving after a few drinks is never an option. Call a cab or use event shuttles if they are available instead.
• Consider appointing a designated driver or someone who agrees not to drink and will be responsible for getting everyone home safely.

Hattingh suggests the use of a ‘buddy system’, where you look out for a friend and they look out for you. “Arrange a time and meeting place with your buddy in case you get lost or want to go off to see different things. By looking out for one another, it increases the chances of someone quickly responding in case something should happen to you. Don’t always rely on your phone, as your battery may go flat or the network may become overloaded.”

Remember to keep your people together and be on the lookout for pickpockets. Keep your valuables in the car if possible, and always remember to lock it!” she concludes.