Event Safety

• Have you developed an evacuation plan for your event?
• Have you developed a sheltering plan for your event?
• Does your event comply with all fire & life safety code requirements? If unsure, you can contact the Emergency Management & Safety Services Fire & Life Safety Office at 940-369-8782 or Emergency.Management@unt.edu for a consultation.
• Have you considered what you would do during severe weather? Emergency Management & Safety Services recommends moving, postponing, or canceling outdoor events when lightning is within 8 miles of the UNT campus.
• Do you have the ability to move the event indoors if there is inclement weather?
• Will your event have minors in attendance? Have all event staff been provided proper training? Learn more about the university's youth protection requirements here.
• Will traffic control be necessary? If so, contact the UNT Police at 940-565-3000 or online.
• Will this event require special safety/security measures? You can contact Emergency Management & Safety Services for consultation.

Improper handling of food can lead to food-borne illnesses, like food poisoning. Per the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, there are four simple steps to ensure food safety:

1. Clean: Wash hands, utensils and surfaces often. Germs can spread and survive in many places.
2. Separate: Raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread illness-causing bacteria to ready-to-eat foods, so keep them separate.
3. Cook: Make sure your food cooks to the right temperature. Ensure that foods are cooked safely by always using a food thermometer.
4. Chill: Refrigerate food promptly. Bacteria that cause food poisoning to multiply quickest between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F.

Follow these food safety tips when preparing food for your outdoor event:

• Serve hot food immediately or place item(s) on a hot grill until consumption.
• Use plenty of ice to protect cold foods.
• Use separate coolers for food and drinks.
• Never let food sit out for more than two hours in moderate weather, or more than one hour in temperatures over 90 degrees.
• Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw meats.
• Have hand sanitizer and paper towels available.

Learn more about food safety at www.foodsafety.gov. 

• Keep an appropriate fire extinguisher close by when cooking over an open flame
• Grills should only be used outside
• Grills should be kept well away from buildings, eaves, and overhanging branches
• Children and pets should remain at least three feet away from a grill
• Ensure the grill lid is open prior to lighting it
• Always ensure your grill is attended
• Use charcoal starter fluid to start a fire in a charcoal grill
• Let coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container when finished grilling
• Check the gas tank hose for leaks when using a propane grill
• Immediately move away from the grill and call the fire department if you smell gas while cooking

Learn more about grilling safety here.

• Tailgating may not occupy empty parking spaces or inhibit traffic flow.
• Tents and canopies are allowed as long as they do not impede foot or vehicle traffic or extend into additional parking spaces.
• Responsible and lawful consumption of alcohol is permitted within University rules and protocols. Police patrol the tailgating areas and enforce applicable laws. Glass containers and kegs are NOT permitted.
• Tailgaters are encouraged to secure their belongings, locking food, beverages, and valuables out-of-sight in vehicles.
• Be mindful of the temperature outside and dress appropriately.
• During extreme heat, avoid strenuous activity, drink plenty of water.

For more information about tailgating on gameday, please visit this site.

The university permits the use of tents during gameday tailgating, vendor/student/department tabling, and other special events. Prior to setting up a tent, be sure to reach out to the sponsoring university department to ensure tents are permitted.

Tents, tarps or canopies are not permitted if they impede foot or vehicular traffic or if they extend into additional parking spaces, drive lanes, sidewalks. In order to protect parking lot surfaces, tents, awnings, and similar items that require ground stakes are prohibited. All tents and canopies must allow for an unobstructed view inside the tent or canopy. Violators of this policy will be asked by University Event Staff to remove or dismantle the item.

Stakes used in the green space area may not be longer than 12 inches or wider than half an inch in order to not interfere with underground utilities. Weights or sandbags are encouraged. Call 940-565-2109 if you have a safety concern.

Tents are not to be used for camping, as the university does not allow camping on campus. You may review the Prohibition of Camping on University Property Policy here. 

Inflatable slides, games, bounce houses, moonwalks, and climbing walls are used frequently by student organizations as part of mixers, fundraisers, carnivals and other special events. While inflatables appear fun and safe, safety precautions must be put in place to ensure participants can enjoy the games without incident or injury. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that an estimated 31,000 injuries requiring treatment at an emergency room occurred on inflatables in the United States between 2003 and 2007. It is the goal of the University to assist student organizations in taking the necessary precautions needed to have as safe an event as possible. To read the University's requirements and safety guidelines for utilizing inflatables on campus, please review this document.