The Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano is the nation’s largest non-motorized parade. Every year, it draws a large crowd of people from all over. It is one of the largest events the city holds every year. Unfortunately, there were a few accidents that happened this year at the event, highlighting the fact that safety is extremely important when attending parades. Keep these tips in mind when attending parades to keep yourself safe.
Stay Alert
This is the best thing you can do to stay safe. With so many people and moving pieces, staying alert can make the difference between getting injured and staying safe. This is especially important if you are taking care of children or elderly. Keeping an eye out for anyone or anything that could potentially hurt you or the people you are looking after will reduce the chance of injury.
Avoid Alcohol
Although alcohol might be readily available and part of the festivities, it impairs your reaction time and your ability to respond quickly when it’s needed. If you do need to act quickly to avoid getting injured, it’s going to be much more difficult if you are drunk than if you are sober. If safety is your number one concern, limit the amount of alcohol you drink or skip it altogether.
Keep a Safe Distance
It’s fun to be right on the edge of the street to watch everything go by. It makes you feel like you are part of the action, but unfortunately it also means you are closest to what could potentially injure you. Instead, consider taking a place where you are slightly removed from the crowd and parade, but are still able to see. This will allow you to more easily avoid an accident if the danger arises.
With any public event, safety is always the number one concern. The next time you are at a parade or large public gathering, be sure to follow these safety tips to keep you and your family safe.
If you have been injured in an accident at a parade or large event, please give us a call at 949-496-7000. We can help you determine if you have a case or not. The first call is always free and we will be sure to get back to you within 24 hours.
Image Credit: @iheartprado