Hygiene Practices for Fair Season

Enjoy Ohio’s 94 County and Independent Fairs Safely! 🌟

Ohio is home to 94 county and independent fairs, making it a fantastic place to enjoy a variety of attractions, from petting zoos and thrilling rides to exciting exhibits and delicious fair food. While these events offer plenty of fun and entertainment, it’s crucial to keep health and safety in mind to ensure everyone has a great experience.

Why Safety Matters

Fairs are bustling with people and animals, which means they can also be a hotspot for germs. Petting animals, visiting exhibits, and riding fun rides can spread bacteria and viruses if proper precautions aren’t taken. The Ohio Department of Health encourages all visitors to stay safe and healthy by following some simple yet effective guidelines.

Five Steps to Stay Healthy at the Fair:

1. Don’t Enter the Barn if You Feel Sick If you’re feeling under the weather, it’s best to skip the barn visit. This helps prevent the spread of illness to other visitors and animals.
2. Leave Food, Drinks, Strollers, and Pacifiers Out of Animal Areas To avoid contamination, keep all food, drinks, strollers, and pacifiers away from animal areas. This reduces the risk of transferring germs from animals to these items.
3. Don’t Kiss or Snuggle Animals As tempting as it may be to cuddle with cute animals, avoid close contact to prevent the spread of germs. Admire them from a safe distance instead.
4. Avoid Touching Your Face While in the Barns Keep your hands away from your face when you’re around animals to reduce the chance of transferring germs from your hands to your mouth, nose, or eyes.
5. Wash Your Hands with Soap and Water After Visiting Animals After any interaction with animals, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.

Additional Tips for a Safe and Fun Fair Experience

• Stay Hydrated: Carry a reusable water bottle and drink plenty of water throughout the day. This is especially important during hot summer days.
• Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.
• Wear Sunscreen: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying sunscreen regularly.
• Monitor Your Kids: Keep an eye on children, ensuring they follow health and safety guidelines, especially around animals and crowded areas.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy all the excitement and fun that Ohio’s fairs have to offer while keeping yourself and your family healthy. So, head out to the nearest fair, enjoy the rides, see the animals, and make some fantastic memories—all while staying safe and sound! 🎡🧼

Download the Ohio Department of Health Five Steps to Keep You and Animals Healthy at the Fair