Steelhouse Festival weekend is nearly here, and thousands of rock fans are preparing to make their way back up the mountain for another glorious few days of riffs, beer, questionable camping decisions and some of the finest views in Welsh festival land.
But before everyone starts firing up the BBQs and cracking open the first campsite cans, there is an important safety message for everyone attending this year.
Following the recent spell of warm and dry weather, the Steelhouse Festival site is currently extremely dry, meaning the risk of an accidental fire is much higher than usual.
Nobody wants a stray cigarette, an unattended BBQ or a careless spark turning a cracking festival weekend into a major emergency.
๐ญ PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN SMOKING
Anyone smoking around the campsite or festival site is being asked to make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished and disposed of safely.
Do not throw cigarette ends onto the grass, leave them smouldering near tents or assume they have gone out on their own.
Dry ground can catch fire frighteningly quickly, especially when combined with wind, camping equipment and tightly packed tents.
One tiny spark can cause a massive problem, so take the extra few seconds to make sure everything is properly out.
๐ฅ BE RESPONSIBLE WITH BBQS
Festival BBQs are practically part of the camping experience.
There is something gloriously British about standing around a disposable BBQ, trying to cook sausages while someone nearby plays AC/DC through a phone speaker at full volume.
However, BBQs must be used responsibly.
Never leave a lit BBQ unattended, keep it away from tents and dry grass, and make sure it is completely extinguished before disposing of it.
Do not tip hot coals onto the ground or place a warm disposable BBQ directly into a rubbish bag.
Pour water over it, check it carefully and make absolutely certain it is cold before leaving it.
The burgers can be burnt.
The mountain cannot.
โฐ๏ธ LOOK AFTER THE MOUNTAIN
Steelhouse Festival is famous for its incredible location at Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, high above the South Wales valleys.
It is one of the things that makes the festival so special.
The climb might test the car, the wind might test the tent and the Welsh weather might test your emotional stability, but standing on top of that mountain surrounded by fellow rock fans is something genuinely magical.
That is why everyone attending has a responsibility to help protect the site.
Please respect the land, follow instructions from festival staff and report anything dangerous immediately.
If you see an unattended flame, smouldering rubbish or anything that could cause a fire, do not ignore it.
Speak to a member of staff or security straight away.
๐๏ธ CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF
Fire safety is not the only important message for festivalgoers.
Everyone is also being reminded to clean up after themselves and leave the campsite as tidy as possible.
Take your tents home.
Bag up your rubbish.
Dispose of cans, food packaging and camping equipment properly.
Do not leave broken chairs, damaged gazebos, airbeds or entire abandoned campsites behind as though the festival field is some sort of post-apocalyptic branch of Argos.
The mountain is not a bin, mun.
Festival teams and volunteers work incredibly hard before, during and after the event, and they should not have to spend days clearing up mountains of rubbish that could easily have been taken home or placed in the correct waste areas.
๐ค STAY SAFE AND ROCK ON
Steelhouse Festival is built around community.
It is about brilliant bands, loyal fans, Welsh hospitality and the sort of friendly atmosphere that makes the mountain feel like home year after year.
Looking after each other and looking after the site is part of that community spirit.
So enjoy the music.
Support the bands.
Drink plenty of water.
Use BBQs carefully.
Dispose of cigarettes safely.
Clean up your campsite.
And most importantly, make sure everyone gets to enjoy a safe and unforgettable weekend.
Let us keep the riffs loud, the beers cold and the mountain completely fire-free.
Stay safe, respect the site and rock on! ๐ค๐ฅ๐ด
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud.
