(Horizon) July 12, 2017 - Summer is often a time to enjoy vacations and outdoor activities such as concerts and festivals. If you plan to take in an outdoor concert or festival, Horizon offers a few safety tips to ensure you have an enjoyable experience:

• Drink plenty of water

• Protect yourself from the sun or other harsh weather

• Dress appropriately in layers

• Drink responsibly, and

• Plan your day's schedule wisely such as knowing how you will return home

When celebrating at concerts and festivals, it's important to be safe when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Canada is facing a serious public health crisis related to opioid overdoses and deaths.  Remember that illegal drugscan be tainted with other dangerous substances, such as fentanyl and carfentanil, which can be deadly. Signs of an opiod overdose include: difficulty staying awake, walking and talking; has very small pupils; cold and clammy skin; slow and weak breathing; choking; and extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up.

Horizon Health Network's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners would like to remind you, if you intend to engage in a sexual act, it is your responsibility to make sure the other partner is capable of giving informed consent (e.g. not intoxicated with drugs or alcohol and not coerced or pressured).

Keeping yourself safe in a large crowd is important.  Being informed and prepared can help ensure the health and safety of you and those around you.

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For more information contact:
Stephanie Neilson-Levesque
Media Relations
1-877-499-1899
Media@HorizonNB.ca 
www.HorizonNB.ca