CATEGORY: Personal Safety

Swimming is back at Electric Picnic this year!

Opening times:

Friday 28th August – Sunday 30th August

09:00 – 19:00

Wild swimming in cold water for many of you is a pleasurable experience, but it can also be dangerous if not done safely. The water is untreated, opaque, and cold with deep silt, and there are areas of reeds that create the risk of entanglement.

Swimmers must abide by the rules and listen to the lifeguards. They must read our swimming terms and conditions before being allowed to swim.

Swimming is only permitted during the day; the area will be secured at night.

Swimmers who choose to enter the water do so at their own risk.

Restrictions
• The water is over 6ft deep at its deepest point in the middle of the lake
• It is not permitted to swim while intoxicated or under the influence. You will be refused entry to the lake if a member of staff deems you unfit for swimming.
• Children aged 12 and under are permitted to swim in the company of an adult over 18 with a 1:1 ratio.
• You should not swim if you have a reduced immune system, as your risk of developing serious health complications from contracting a water-borne illness is much higher.
• Diving or jumping into the lake is strictly prohibited
• Electric Picnic reserves the right to suspend swimming at any time at its discretion.

Blue Response UK will provide lifeguards who are qualified to perform a rescue if required, working under the supervision of the Duty Officer.

The safety and security of festival goers is our top priority! Please be patient while we carry out our security checks and searches, which take place at the campsite gates, the arena entrance and may also happen at any time at any location onsite.

Our security staff are there for your safety – please cooperate with them as they work to keep us all safe and sound. Some are covert, but most are identified by their numbered tabard. Always go to them if you need help.

There are security measures you will see and of course, ones that you can’t. The whole site is monitored throughout by staff on the ground along with an extensive CCTV system watched round the clock by a team of monitors in a fully staffed Event Control.

Please help us by reporting anything that doesn’t look right to you and also please let us know if you spot an area where we can do better and we will get on it.

If you are involved in an incident with any security, steward or member of staff that you want to report – please make a note of their tabard number or name on their pass. You can make a complaint via the Information Tent, Welfare Tent or through the Campsite Manager patrolling your zone in a burgundy tabard and your complaint will be passed straight on to the Organisers onsite.

Air Hubs

New in 2023, we introduced AIR Hubs across our campsites at Electric Picnic. AIR is an acronym for ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION & RESPONSE and we will be working with local community groups and charities to run these hubs for us, with the support of our existing safeguarding and welfare partners at the festival. The groups involved with the Electric Picnic AIR Hubs are SOSAD Ireland,  Portarlington Women’s Shed, Portlaoise AFC, Laois Cricket Club and more. There will be AIR Hubs across the campsites and arena, meaning you will never be too far away from a friendly face or listening ear when at Electric Picnic. Air Hubs will be open 24 hours in the campsites, from Thursday through to Monday until the campsites close.

ASK FOR ANGELA

This year we are supporting the Ask for Angela campaign, which is operational at all our venues, bars and briefed to all staff members. We want to make sure help is ready and available to those who call upon it. We have seen this simple yet effective campaign prove successful at our festival so far and want to continue this year at Electric Picnic.

AIR Hubs are located across our campsites and the arena. AIR is an acronym for ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION & RESPONSE and we will be working with local community groups and charities to run these hubs for us, with the support of our safeguarding and welfare partners at the festival.

AIR Hubs act as information points for customers at the event, providing useful resources such as public maps, help maps and event posters!

There will be AIR Hubs located in the campsites and arena, meaning you will never be too far away from a friendly face or listening ear when at Electric Picnic. AIR Hubs in the campsites will also match the colour of the campsite bunting to easily identify which one you are at! AIR Hub staff are easily identifiable in yellow-branded AIR Hub jackets.

AIR Hubs will be open 24 hours in all campsites, from Thursday through to Monday until the campsites close.

AIR Hubs in the arena will be open during arena operating hours.

Charging and Wi-Fi are available at each AIR Hub across the event site!

An Garda Síochána Crime Prevention Advice 

DO

Remember there’s safety in groups, camp with friends or make friends with your neighbours – they will keep an eye on your tent while you are gone, and you do the same for them! Do not forget if you are alone and need help, we have the Ask for Angela campaign at Electric Picnic.

Remember where you pitched your tent. It will be dark when you return.

Remember to drink alcohol responsibly.

Consider saving a contact number (other than your number) of a friend or family member as a screen saver, which will help establish ownership of your phone should it be handed into us in An Garda Síochána or onsite security, e.g., this phone belongs to (First name) if found, please contact (number). 

DON’T

Do not bring valuables to the event. Only bring with you that you can afford to lose. A tent is not 100% secure, so only bring what you absolutely need.

Do not be tempted to leave valuables in your vehicle. Empty the glove box and leave it open to show thieves nothing of value is inside. Remember where you parked your car. Car parks are clearly marked and identifiable.

Do not keep all your bank cards and valuables together. Keep them in different pockets and not leave your backpack or handbag unattended.

Do not challenge people if you witness an incident. Report suspicious activity to event security, staff or Gardaí immediately.

Do not give anyone PIN code access to your mobile phone, especially if you receive a call from anyone purporting to be Gardai or any other official. We do not require access to your phone to return it to you if you follow the advice above.

If you do become a victim of crime or if you see a crime happening – report the issue as soon as possible to a member of staff. Try to remember as much as possible regarding the appearance of the person, their clothing and the location of the crime. Look out for toilets, fire towers, unusual tents/structures and any nearby signage.

If you are reporting the theft of a mobile phone, you will be required to first contact your network provider and have the handset blocked. Numbers for Irish network providers will be available in the Information Tent.

It is always worth checking the Lost Property Cabin in the Jimi Hendrix Campsite as it may have been handed in.

Decide on a meeting point with your friends. Choose a time and place to meet up later in case you get separated from each other.

Learn the layout of the site – particularly your camping area so you can easily find toilets and stewards.

Get to know the people who are camped around you. It makes for a nicer environment and it means you’ll be familiar with who should be coming and going in your area.
Keep your phone charged in case you’re separated from your friends.

Stay hydrated. There are free drinking water points, located near the toilet blocks across site.

Keep your wits about you. Drink responsibly and know your limit.

Please do not climb on any trees onsite. It is dangerous and may damage the tree.

Security and stewards are here to help you. Don’t be worried about asking for help in any situation, whether it’s asking for directions or to report something or someone you’re worried about.

Strobe lighting – pyrotechnics, lasers, smoke machines, strobe lighting/special effects may take place during some performances.

Prolonged exposure to high volume noise can cause hearing damage

Mixing drugs with other drugs and / or alcohol / prescription drugs can be a significant danger with risk of death.

Ask for help if you or your friends become unwell immediately. We are here to help you.
Further information is available online: talktofrank.com, bluelight.org, the Know Drugs app or Drugs.ie.

Electric Picnic is proud to support the Ask for Angela initiative as part of our commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can discreetly ask any member of event staff for “Angela”, and they will know that you need help and will support you appropriately.

Fires are not permitted anywhere on site.

Anyone found creating or fuelling a fire may face Eviction. In addition, anyone found burning any unsuitable materials such as toxic materials, other people’s possessions, site infrastructure, trees or hedges onsite will be liable to Eviction and/or prosecution.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Candles are dangerous, please don’t bring them. Bring a torch instead.
If you cook, always do it in the designated BBQ areas, ensure that there is constant supervision and keep well away from any flammable materials
Watch out for flying embers and sparks, as they could start a fire, even from some distance.

DISPOSABLE BBQS ARE ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED AT ELETRIC PICNIC

If a fire starts in your tent, you must get everyone out and evacuate the area as quickly as possible. Alert the nearest steward or security, who could also be the by Fire Tower, and they’ll contact the Fire Team.

Remember that fire can spread very quickly around flammable materials such as tents and rubbish. Even a small contained fire can quickly spread, producing smoke and fumes which can kill in seconds. Ensure that you raise the alarm and keep other campers in the vicinity away from the fire until it has been contained and properly extinguished.

Here is a simple fire code to help you decide whether to put out, or get out:

• Only tackle a fire in its very early stages.
• Always put your own and other people’s safety first.
• Make sure you can escape if you need to and that the fire is not blocking your exit.
• Fire extinguishers are only for fighting a fire in its very early stages. Never tackle a fire if it is starting to spread or has spread to other items nearby.
• Around 70% of fire deaths are caused by people being overcome by smoke and fumes.

CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that can kill in minutes. Never take a portable barbeque, or lit charcoal into an enclosed space like a tent or caravan.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

Headache

Dizziness

Nausea

Vomiting

Tiredness and confusion

Stomach Pain

Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

If you think you have potentially be exposed to carbon monoxide gas whilst at the festival, please contact a steward immediately.

The Welfare Tent is located in the Jimi Hendrix Campsite beside the arena entrance and is open 24 hours and is staffed by experienced and supportive people.

They can provide confidential advice about drugs, alcohol, legal highs and sexual health, and offer support if you need to talk. They offer a monitored rest and recovery area if you’ve overdone it.

Please go to the Welfare Tent if you experience any problems or need to talk to someone for any reason.

The dealing in or use of illegal drugs is not condoned by Electric Picnic Festival. It is illegal to take, to buy or to sell drugs. Drug enforcement laws are as applicable onsite as anywhere else in the country. If you deal in drugs, you will be handed over to An Garda Siochana. There are covert Gardaí and security onsite who will be able to take action as appropriate. Neither anti-social nor illegal behaviour will be tolerated and participants will leave themselves liable for eviction from the site.

Experimenting with drugs can lead to adverse reactions. Drugs can kill. The crowds and the sheer size of the Festival can be very frightening and disorientating and taking drugs could spoil your enjoyment of the event. If you do take drugs and you become ill, depressed or frightened please ask a steward to direct you to one of the many facilities onsite which can help and support you.

CODE BLUE
On-site medical provision is provided by CODE BLUE.

Main Medical Centre
Main Medical Centre will be located in the Jimi Hendrix campsite next to the Arena Entrance, and is open 24 hours. The medical centre will act as a referral centre from the first aid posts and roaming mobile teams.

First Aid  Points
First aid posts will be located across the site in the Main Arena, Late Night Arena, Freetown, Family Camping (Lakeside), Samuel Beckett, Janis Joplin, General Campervan/ Caravan Campsite and Oscar Wilde.

Please ensure you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions for the event. Your possession of a ticket constitutes your acceptance of these T&Cs.

Terms & Conditions of Entry

General Campervan Terms & Conditions

Family Campervan Terms & Conditions

Eviction Policy

Swimming Terms & Conditions

Electric Keys Competition

Partner Survey Terms & Conditions

Post Event Artist Survey Terms and Conditions