Safety might be the farthest thing from your mind as you rock out at this summer's hottest festivals, but frightening incidents can happen in a huge crowd if you're not prepared.

The alleged sexual assault at Ozzfest in Illinois on Sunday (see [article id="1536635"]"Woman Sexually Assaulted In Ozzfest Parking Lot"[/article]) serves as an important reminder that adhering to certain safety rules and precautions can help prevent a violent attack against you or someone you love.

Anne Liske, executive director of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, recalled Woodstock '99, where there were several reported rapes and "security was not as tight as it should have been."

"The most important thing is for individuals to be aware of their own safety choices and options," she said. "Doing things like going with friends, staying with friends and being in parking lots with other people is the most important thing. If people are consuming beverages, be aware of your own beverage and make sure nobody is slipping any of the numerous substances that can facilitate sexual assault [into your drink]."

Liske encourages producers and event organizers to enlist local rape-crisis programs to set up shop at major festivals and make their information available. She said organizers can also consult local college campuses and find out if there is a college-escort program, where trained volunteers walk festival-goers to and from their cars.

Festival personnel stress that audience safety is a prime concern for organizers.

"It's part of the event from the planning stages," said Troy Officer, who has served as a security consultant for Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. "It's not an afterthought. We plan everything with security in mind, according to the type of the bands and to the times they play."

Now in its fifth year, Austin City Limits has had a quarter-million attendees and only five arrests, which included public intoxication and ticket counterfeiting.

"We're incredibly proud of our history," he said. "We try to prevent any dark areas, try to get the lighting of the show set up as soon as possible and try to adjust the lighting on unlit areas. That's the base step."

Police officers are stationed throughout the ACL festival grounds, and during Lollapalooza, cops patrol the park before, during and after the festival on foot, car, ATV, golf cart or horse.

Officer cites six major rules to keep in mind:

If you or a friend is sexually assaulted, contact your local rape crisis program or the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network at (800) 656-HOPE or www.rainn.org.