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Office of Emergency Management

Safety guide for special events

Planning to attend a major event in Philadelphia? The Office of Emergency Management offers safety tips and alerts.

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Get alerts

Emergency alerts on your phone or by email

Sign up online or by text

Text ReadyPhila to 888-777 to get alerts about severe weather, mass transit and travel, emergency info, and more. You can customize your alert options and language when you sign up online:

Sign up for alerts

Sign up for text alerts about upcoming special events

  • Visiting Philadelphia for Fourth of July-related events? Text America to 888-777.
  • Joining us for the World Cup? Text CupPHL to 888-777.
  • Taking part in the Broad Street Run or cheering on the runners? Text RunPHL to 888-777.

Make a plan

Whenever you go to a big event, have a plan!

  • Discuss an emergency meet-up location if you and your friends or family get separated. Look for landmarks.
  • If bringing children, make sure they wear bright colors or distinct clothes. Take a picture of them before leaving and email it to yourself. Write your phone number on a bracelet, on their wrist, or a piece of paper in their pocket.
  • When you get to your location, look for the quickest way to exit if you need to.

For more general tips, check out the Office of Emergency Management’s Special Event Safety Guide (PDF).

Important contacts to know

  • Medical, police, or fire emergencies: call 9-1-1
  • Non-emergency and city service information: Visit Philly311 or call 3-1-1
  • SEPTA transit police safety and security: call (215) 234-1911
  • Mental health support: call 9-8-8

Get around

No matter how you’re getting around Philadelphia, find where you’re going with maps and directions.

By public transit

SEPTA is our region’s mass transportation provider, with bus, regional rail, subway, elevated rail, and trolley service throughout the city and suburbs.

By car

If you’re using highways or streets to get around, check out the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) real time traffic map for current conditions, including detours and closures.

Prepare for warm weather

Many of our biggest events happen in the summer, when Philadelphia has hot temperatures and severe storms. Make sure that you check the weather from the National Weather Service before you attend an outdoor event.

Warm weather tips

  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, fruit juice, and other fluids.
  • Bring a refillable water bottle (be sure to check lists of prohibited items for your event.)
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks.
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • If you have a respiratory condition like asthma, you may need to limit your time outside during hot and humid weather.
  • Let someone know if you feel sick. If you start to feel dizzy, overheated, or nauseous, ask for help right away—these are all signs of heat stroke. A friend or event official can make sure you get medical attention as soon as possible.

For more tips for hot weather, visit the Extreme Heat Guide.


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