Outdoor venues have many benefits, such as the ability to hold events that are a bit messy, like water balloon fights. They also have more space, so they can include field sports and other events that make participants feel like they're having an experience. However, outdoor events also have challenges that indoor events lack, so they require more work to plan. The following six tips will help make your next outdoor event as safe and fun as it can be.
1. Use Portable Restroom Trailers
There’s also no getting around the restroom issue for outdoor events, especially if the space doesn’t already include them. It’s essential to ensure you have enough portable restroom trailers to support your attendees.
In addition to practical requirements, some jurisdictions have health codes that specify a ratio of bathrooms to attendees. You also need to develop a plan for their placement, so that they’re easily accessible without being in the middle of the venue.
2. Acquire the Required Permits
Permits are often required for outdoor events, especially when they’re held on public property like parks or beaches. Activities likely to require permits include bonfires and serving alcohol.
The laws regarding permits vary greatly according to the local jurisdiction, so be sure to contact the city or town where you’re holding the event. It’s less likely that you’ll need permits if the venue is on private property, but you should still check to be sure.
3. Comply With Ordinances and Codes
Ordinances and codes are rules that your event must follow, even when you have the required permits. Assume, for this example, that you have a permit for a bonfire. You would still need to comply with local ordinances regarding bonfires, such as only burning materials during certain hours. Similarly, many towns have ordinances regulating the volume and hours of loud noise.
Codes are similar, although they usually focus on safety. They include rules on fire protection and allowing emergency vehicles to access the event grounds. Like ordinances, codes vary considerably by jurisdiction, so you’ll need to research them ahead of time.
Codes tend to be enforced more strictly than ordinances, and violations can result in the immediate shutdown of an event.
4. Keep Food and Drinks Safe
Outdoor events can present a challenge in keeping food and drinks safe, due to the uncontrolled temperature. Many foods need to stay cool, making it especially important to keep them in the shade.
Foods that need to stay warm should be kept in insulated containers or chafing dishes, which stay over an open flame. Check with the local fire safety codes to ensure they allow this at your event. Canned and bottled beverages are easier to care for since you just need to keep them in iced coolers.
5. Control Pests
Insects like mosquitos pose a major challenge for outside events. Events held during the summer near bodies of water will typically require pest control treatments if allowed at the venue. Insect repellent is also a necessity at these events, although it must be kept away from open food.
6. Consider the Environment
In addition, planners should consider the environmental effects of their cleanup measures when selecting the best option for their event. It’s much harder to sweep away debris and mop up spills for outside events, making it imperative to ensure the event has enough trash containers.
It’s also important to consider the type of trash that the event will generate. For example, confetti should be made of biodegradable paper. Furthermore, the remains of a fireworks show should be cleaned up very thoroughly, due to the dangers of unexploded black powder.
Contact The Texas Loo today to reserve a luxury mobile restroom trailer for your outdoor event.