In the summer of 2020 many people around the United States, including students from school, protested for Black Lives Matter (BLM). BLM is a movement that has brought people together to end the police brutality Black people face. Here are some safety tips to help you stay safe during a protest.

Water 

Stay hydrated while protesting!

Wear a mask, and maintain a 6-foot distance.

Due to Covid-19, everyone is forced to stay inside and take precautions when outside. You need to wear a mask to prevent yourself and others from getting Covid-19. You also need to maintain a 6-foot distance from others.

Wear protective clothing.

Wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and full length pants can help protect your skin – and yourself – during a protest. If you don’t wear protective clothing and a chemical gets on your skin, make sure to wash it out.

Protect your eyes and face by wearing goggles and a face mask/face shield.

Your eyes are the most sensitive thing on your face, so it is important to prevent things from getting into your eyes. The best goggles to wear are shatterproof goggles. The best way to protect your face is by either wearing a face mask or a face shield. The best face masks to wear are N95 masks, and the best face shields to wear are ones that protect your identity.

Don’t apply products that will absorb chemicals

Applying products such as lotion, makeup, perfume, etc. before a protest will cause chemicals to absorb into the skin and it could cause irritation, or allergic reactions. It is best to go to a protest without applying any of these products.

Bring a backpack with necessities.

You should bring a backpack with necessities such as your ID, money, hand sanitizer, extra masks, disinfectant wipes, snacks, emergency information, a first aid kit, and your phone. Bringing these things will help you and others. 

DON’T wear contact lenses.

Wearing contact lenses to a protest is bad, because particles of tear gas and pepper spray can get stuck in between your eyes and the lenses, which can cause damage to your eyes.

Wash out your eyes with care.

If by chance you get pepper sprayed and or tear gassed, the best way to wash out the chemicals from your eyes is with fresh water or saline, but milk also works. Making a solution of water and baking soda can help disable the chemical, but it is very risky because the solution may contain bits of powder that can then scratch or make the irritation worse for your eyes.

Protect yourself from rubber bullets, pepper spray, and tear gas. 

The best way to protect yourself from rubber bullets, pepper spray, and tear gas is to wear protective gear, such as a helmet, gloves to get rid of the tear gas, and you should carry an umbrella with you to block the rubber bullets. Wearing shatterproof goggles will help with pepper spray.