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Sunday is football’s ultimate event, Superbowl LIII, hosted this year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The state-of the-art stadium has capacity to seat up to 75,000 people, and the city expects expecting several hundred thousand or more visitors and football fans streaming into the vicinity just to be close to the action.

Whether or not you are there in person to see the Los Angeles Rams take on the New England Patriots, the odds are quite likely at some point you will find yourself in the midst of boisterous crowd at a large event. Mixing and mingling in a mega crowd is an exhilarating experience, but it is wise to remember that with numbers comes chaos, which places personal safety at risk.

Don’t haphazardly toss safety into the hands of a crowded super event. Just as the Rams and Patriots are preparing for the big game by strategizing defensive plays, you too should be on the defensive in advance of any super event.

To help you avoid missteps and “game day” risks, we’ve put together the following tips to help you create a tactical plan no matter what type of event you attend that will help you protect yourself and your family:

Be Nimble, Be Aware and Keep Your Head on a Swivel

• It is easy to get caught up in festivities, but remaining aware of your surroundings at all times is critical to your safety
• Keep an eye on your belongings—put your wallet in a front pocket (preferably one with a zipper). If you use a purse, hold it close to your body where you can always see it.
• Refrain from putting your personal belongings on the ground to keep them from being stolen or forgotten.
• Respond quickly to an alarm or sign of emergency and leave immediately—don’t pause to gather unnecessary belongings. 

Know the Path of Least Resistance:

• Upon arrival at any event study the area, identify emergency exit routes that you can use to escape from a potentially dangerous situation.
• If seated for a sporting event or concert, try not to sit in the middle of the aisle, as this often prevents you from making a quick exit in an emergency.
• In case of a fire, remember that heat and smoke rise, and crouch down low to get oxygen. Do not attempt to put the fire out; that is the job of firefighters. Focus on finding an exit. 

Identify the Line of Scrimmage:

• As soon as you enter the event, indicate several landmarks that your children can distinguish as meeting points, should they become lost. Have them repeat what these landmarks are before continuing.
• Remind your children never to go to a parking lot if they lose you—this is a dangerous area that leaves them at risk for abduction or injury.
• Avoid ATMs in crowded areas. Close proximity to large crowds heightens your risk of unforeseen muggings or identity theft.

Know Who is On Your Team:  

• Security officers stationed in public spaces are trained to help you in an emergency. When you arrive at your destination, take note of the security officers protecting the area, their posts, and their uniforms. This will help you easily recognize them even under duress.
• Instruct your children them to seek help from a security officer or, alternately, another mother with children. These are the people most likely to quickly and responsibly assist your child.
• Keep personal names off clothing as children are more likely to trust an adult who knows their first name.
• Take a picture of what your children are wearing so that you can easily show it to an on-site security service if needed.

Crowds can be daunting, but they don’t have to cause you anxiety. Preparing in advance and taking the right precautions is the winning combination for protecting yourself and family from harm or loss when in you are in a crowd.

Stay vigilant!

 

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