Safety & Supervision¶
The short version: the host owns the venue and the route, the game owns the puzzles. These are the safety basics as documented across the ZQM Labs host materials.
Route and signs¶
- Never place signs where players must cross traffic to reach them — wet or dry.
- Choose waypoints 2–4 minutes apart on foot, and note anything that could move or vanish (parked cars, decorations) when you pick them.
- Signs go at eye level with the QR facing the approach path, so players stop at the sign instead of hunting around it.
Match the Dial to your group¶
The Dial is your age-and-intensity control. Set it for the group you actually have:
| Dial | Audience |
|---|---|
| Cozy | All ages |
| Spooky | Teens and up |
| After Dark | Adults |
| Overdrive | Competitive groups |
Weather and the rain plan¶
- Light rain: play on — laminated signs survive it.
- Heavy rain or storms: postpone to the rain date you picked when you set up. Check the forecast the day before and decide by morning.
- When in doubt, postpone.
Your responsibilities as host¶
For an in-person event, the organizer confirms a suitable venue and route for their participants — considering accessibility, supervision, local permissions, weather, and safety — and confirms responsibilities with the Lab before the event. That includes:
- Supervision arrangements appropriate to your group (youth groups: agree supervision with the Lab when you book).
- Any permission your venue requires — a park, school, HOA common area, or business property may have its own rules.
- A route your players can actually walk: teams move on foot, one phone per team, and stops can be as close as 20 feet apart if your space is small.
Photos and scores¶
Your players' photos and scores are yours — they are only ever shared with the Lab for the community showcase with permission, always. See After the Event.