Hand Washing Necessary At County Fairs

Summer means it’s time for fair season and there are some things you should keep in mind when visiting.

Local health officials are encouraging you to wash your hands when coming into contact with fair livestock and other 4H animals. Immunization Coordinator for the Muskingum County Health Department, Jamie Heinzman told us about proper hand washing technique when using warm running water and soap.

“You want to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Singing the happy birthday song twice or singing your whole alphabet–very normal pace not fast as you can. Singing it usually helps you get that time frame in there. But you want to make sure youre rubbing. Especially in the cracks of your hands and things like that. If you’re wearing jewelry or watches and things like that, you want to move those and wash underneath where those are because germs like to hide inside of those.”

Heinzman stressed using friction to scrub your hands and letting all hand sanitizer dry completely through a process of rubbing are some of the best things you can do. Heinzman said proper hand washing is vital when visiting the fair.

“Hand washing is a great way to prevent illnesses so it’s the easiest way you can prevent any illness. Flus, anything transmitted from animals, basically just your average dirt and stuff like that.”

Everyone is at risk for contracting an illness from fair animals, but the children and elderly are higher risk groups. According to the CDC, some of the illnesses one can contract from fair animals include, E. coli, bird flu and salmonella. You should wash your hands immideatly after coming into contact with animals and dirt.