After a Taylor Swift fan recently died at one of her concerts in Brazil, people are wondering if concertgoers should be allowed to bring their own water bottles into venues. (Courtesy: monkeybusinessimages/iStock)
After a Taylor Swift fan recently died at one of her concerts in Brazil, people are wondering if concertgoers should be allowed to bring their own water bottles into venues.
According to media outlets, a fan died at one of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Rio de Janeiro on Friday as a result of extreme heat. Fans told NBC News they saw multiple people pass out and water was scarce because attendees were not allowed to bring it in.
“There was nowhere to go. We weren’t allowed to have water. There were no water fountains.” Igor Paiva, an attendee, told NBC News.
Time4Fun organized the concert in Brazil and posted on their X account, formerly known as Twitter, a statement written in Portuguese telling concertgoers they’re allowed certain water bottles and food into the venue and that free water would be available in the lines and multiple places in the stadium, according to NBC News.
However, do these same rules apply to venues in Toronto?
The Brandon Gonez Show contacted Live Nation Canada and they said at their venues, such as Budweiser Stage and History, free water is available.
They also mentioned people can bring in their own empty bottles into the Budweiser Stage and refill water at their refill water stations. However, at their HISTORY venue people cannot bring their own water bottles but are given free cups so people can refill as many times as they wish.
In addition, both their venues offer free water bottles and are handed out by security at the barricade throughout every show, and they will provide water if guests are dehydrated and in need of water immediately.
The Rogers Centre’s website states, plastic bottles and/or cans holding 600ml or less of non-alcoholic beverages are permitted into Rogers Centre.”
(Courtesy: Rogers Centre website)
On the other hand, Scotiabank Arena’s website states outside food and beverage are not permitted into the building.
(Courtesy: Scotiabank Arena website)
We contacted MLSE for a comment but did not receive a response in time of publication.
“Staying hydrated is important as fluids help regular body temperature and lower the risk of dehydration and heat stroke,” Dineen Robinson, superintendent for Toronto Paramedic Services, told The Brandon Gonez Show in an email response.
Robinson also included a list of signs and symptoms of dehydration:
- Dizziness or fainting
- Headache
- Darker-coloured, strong-smelling urine
- Flushed skin
- Low blood pressure and increased heart rate
“Toronto Paramedic Services responds to calls for emergency medical assistance at venues throughout the city every day,” Robinson said. However, she could not provide more details about those emergency calls.
Water bottles can be expensive at venues, so do you think they should provide free water bottles to their guests?
