Explanation:

There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of the Minnesota State Fair. Part of what makes this event so special is the sheer scale of the people watching. Where ELSE can you join in festivities with over 100,000 people on the same day? Between the deep fried pickles, pronto PUPS and whatever else they attempt to PUT on a stick this year, it’s easy to become distracted and forget about your surroundings.

Safety in crowded spaces requires constant awareness of your environment. Use the following crowd safety tips to maintain your COMFORT and well being when the Great Minnesota Get-Together feels a little cramped.

Identify Escape Routes

It’s not fun to think about, but large gatherings of people POSE a risk for stampedes and crushes. One of the most important and effective things you can do to be prepared and protect yourself is determine a quick way out of an area in case the crowd size seems to be getting out of hand. Yes, it takes some effort to always know the best way out, but a few seconds of vigilance could be life saving.

If you’re in a building, keep an eye out for bright red exit signs, which provides guidance for a quick getaway. In an event like a fire, there may be obstructions in your way that make it difficult to reach your desired exit. If you have a backup exit mapped in your mind, you are in an even better position to survive a crowd disaster.