Tips for staying safe and healthy while having fun
Summers are synonymous with state fairs, festivals, outdoor concerts and carnivals. Good music, tasty food, fun rides and games at these events draw large crowds every summer. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital wants to ensure those who attend fairs, festivals and concerts this summer stay safe and healthy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foodborne illnesses increase during the summer months due in part to the increase of food being cooked outdoors. Food safety practices should be the same at fairs as they are at restaurants and at home. Before you buy food from a vendor at a fair or festival, consider the following:
- Does the vendor have a clean workstation?
- Does the vendor have a sink for employees to wash their hands?
- Do employees wear gloves or use tongs when handling food?
- Does the vendor have refrigeration on site for raw ingredients or pre-cooked foods?
- Has the vendor been inspected?
Wisconsin state law requires that each person operating a food service establishment have a valid permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and/or by the local health department. The law also requires the valid permit be noticeably posted in every food service concession.
While at fairs, festivals and carnivals, it is also important to wash your hands often. This is especially true after petting animals, touching the animal enclosure and exiting the animal enclosure – even if you did not touch an animal. Additionally, always wash hands after using the restroom, after playing a game or going on a ride, and before eating or drinking. In case there are no places to wash hands, bring hand sanitizers or disposable wipes to use.
Other important tips to keep in mind when attending festivals and fairs include:
- Drink plenty of water – this is especially true if it is a hot day with a high heat index and/or if any alcohol consumption occurs.
- If alcohol is available, exercise care. Don’t take drinks from strangers and don’t leave your drink unattended. Monitor your alcohol intake carefully and do not use alcohol as a substitute for water. Since alcohol can dehydrate the body, it’s important to drink as much (if not more) water than alcohol.
- Ensure you have suitable clothing for the weather conditions and the location of the event.
- Take proper sun safety measures – apply and reapply sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater, seek shade periodically, wear sunglasses and use protective barriers such as clothing and hats.
