Festival guidelines on alcohol and children

Sedqa, the agency against drug and alcohol abuse, has issued a set of guidelines mainly aimed at protecting children and young people from alcohol during festivals where beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages are served.

The guidelines are timely, with the summer months seeing numerous open-air festivals being held, often used to promote particular brands of alcoholic drinks and very popular with families.

According to the guidelines, which is part of Sedqa's campaign against alcohol abuse, children should be informed at all times that alcohol beverages are intended for adults and that they may cause harm to young people.

In particular, children are to be protected from exposure to events that are meant to promote the consumption of alcohol. Unaccompanied children should not to be allowed to take part in such events.

Children are to be provided with a separate play area during festivals and parents informed that the most respectful way to manage their children in such circumstances is to place them in the designated area.

Sedqa also insists that prominent signs be displayed indicating that under-16s are not to be served alcohol.

Identity cards should be requested at the door or when purchasing alcoholic beverages while presenters should be briefed not to promote alcohol abuse during the event.

The guidelines also say that drinking competitions or any other activities that encourage the consumption of alcohol should not be organised, with the exception of wine-tasting.

Prominent signs warning against the dangers of drink driving should also be displayed, while alternative non-alcoholic beverages should be available throughout the event.

Security officials are to mingle with the crowds and escort any drunken person from the premises. Towards the end of the event, a winding-down period should be observed, such as putting a stop to all sale of alcohol while the entertainment continues for at least an hour.

Promoters are to provide the facility of a breathalyser test for patrons leaving the venue. At the departure point, patrons should find information about transport companies that they can use if they find that their alcohol level is over the limit.