Tips for a Safe Day of the Dead “Celebration in Ft. Lauderdale”

Day of the Dead (or “Dia de los Muertos”) is a day dedicated to remembering loved ones lost—honoring them with parade processionals, ofrendas (traditional community remembrance altars), and handmade crafts from independent artists and other members of the community.

In its seventh year, Day of the Dead Florida is expected to attract somewhere around 10,000 guests and will be celebrated in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale from 4–10 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2017, with individual events happening throughout the celebration.

And with all the excitement of the festivities and the crowds of people, it’s important to remember to be safe. Use these helpful safety tips to avoid a personal injury or accident.

 

Tip #1: Know your exits.

At the beginning of the festivities, identify the exit points in case you need to leave quickly. Even with outdoor events, it’s easy to get caught in the middle of a crowd before you know how it happened, so it’s best to find clear exit paths wherever possible. With this particular event, the main celebration features dozens of giant skeleton puppets that have been nearly 20 feet tall, which can be hazardous if improperly constructed. Be sure not to stand too close to any of the pieces to prevent an accidental injury.

Tip #2: If you’re bringing your kids, practice child safety.

If you are bringing a small child, it’s important to practice child safety for larger events like this. Take a photo of them the day of the event. Should you get separated, you’ll have an updated photo of them with what they are currently wearing to show people. You’ll also want to ensure they’re close by and possibly elevated (on a parent/guardian’s shoulders or hip) in highly crowded areas to prevent being stepped on or trampled over. You may even consider giving your child a flashlight or reflective clothing in order to be more visible during nighttime festivities.

Tip #3: Avoid walking hazards.

With all the activity happening around outdoors, be mindful that there may be garbage, spilled drinks or food, offerings and other decorations that have fallen on the ground. Avoid a potential personal injury by keeping an eye out for these items.

Tip #4: Be cautious while leaving.

Although this event is kid-friendly, it’s still important to be cautious of attendees who may be leaving the event under the influence of alcohol. There will be bars and food trucks that will serve alcohol, so remember that there is a greater chance of encountering someone who’s had too much to drink before getting behind the wheel. To avoid a car accident as much as possible, give yourself ample space between cars as you leave, and be sure to be a defensive driver so you can react quickly to any hazards that may come your way. If you believe someone may be too drunk to drive, call 911 and report it.

 

Should an Accident Still Occur:

 

Sometimes, even when you’ve been as cautious as you can be, accidents still occur. If you or a loved one experiences a personal injury after the Day of the Dead celebration in Ft. Lauderdale, get in contact with our team at Cohen and Cohen Law and we’ll help you determine what your next steps should be.

 

Images Provided by DayOfTheDeadFlorida.com