Key Takeaways
- Stay hydrated and keep your skin protected from the sun by packing water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
- Other helpful items include medication, bandages, menstrual products, hand sanitizer, and cleaning wipes.
- If you need a healthcare provider for a non-emergency health concern, virtual urgent care providers can help you.
If you need quick, convenience care, our providers are available 7 days a week to diagnose and treat many common illnesses from the comfort of your home, or wherever you are.
Summer means festival season, especially in Rochester. From the Jazz Festival in June to the Clothesline Arts Festival in September, the warm months bring thousands of people together to enjoy food, drinks, arts, and culture in our area.
We’ve put together a checklist for you to keep you prepared and healthy heading into any festival. Before you pack your bag and head out to browse the booths and sip on some high-priced lemonade, be ready to go with this list.
1. Water bottle
Staying hydrated is important, especially in the hot summer months. Bring a bottle of water or a reusable water bottle so you can replenish your fluids.
You can also carry other drinks to stay hydrated, like sports drinks, fitness water, or fruit juices to keep your electrolytes up.
2. Sunscreen
The last thing you need in the summer is a sunburn. Pack a sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF and apply every 2 hours. Our dermatologists recommend choosing a lotion or spray with broad UV protection.
3. Snacks
With all that walking and dancing, you’re bound to get hungry! While festival food is delicious, it is often fried and/or has a lot of extra sugar. Consider carrying healthy, filling snacks with you, like fruit, nuts, granola bars, or other food that sustains you while you’re out and about.
4. Earplugs
If you’re planning on listening to live music and being close to the stage, put a pair of earplugs or earmuffs in your bag. Sustained noises above 70 decibels can cause hearing loss; loud concerts often come in at 110 decibels.
5. Sunglasses and hat
Wearing sunglasses is not only a good summer look, but also protects your eyes and the skin around your eyes from UV rays – as long as the sunglasses have UV protection.
Hats help to shield your scalp and face from the sun. Together, they’re a winning combo.
6. Medication
Whether you are taking medication regularly or are bringing it just in case, keep a medication container in your bag. Consider acetaminophen, ibuprofen, allergy medication, or anything else you might need when packing.
7. Menstrual products
Being out in a public place without any spare menstrual products can take the fun out of a summer festival. Pack some just in case.
8. Bandages
Accidents can happen to the best of us. Carry a few bandages, just in case you or someone in your group trips and falls or suffers a cut. While many festivals have a first aid tent, it’s easier to carry bandages with you than have to take a detour.
9. Hand sanitizer
Clean hands help to prevent infections. Pack a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer and use it frequently, especially after eating.
10. Cleaning wipes
These come in handy for many reasons. Wipes can be used for spills, stains, sticky hands and food residue, and much more. As a bonus, disinfecting wipes are great to use if you’re sitting at a public picnic table.
11. Umbrella
You never know when a stray rain shower might pop up, so it’s best to be prepared. This can also come in handy if you want to sit down in an open area and need to block the sun.
12. Bug spray
Especially if you are outdoors at a music festival or somewhere with wet ground, using a bug spray or insect repellent keeps pesky mosquitos and flies away.
With a well-stocked bag ready for any situation, you can rest assured that you’re prepared for all of the summer festivals ahead this season. Enjoy the outdoors and making new memories!
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