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American Red Cross
Having Fun and
Staying Safe at the Great Darke County Fair
Darke County, OH 45331 August 19, 2016 The tents are going
up, animals are getting baths and you can smell the funnel cakes; nine
days and nights of rides, exhibitions, grandstand entertainment, 4-H
shows and food, providing those who attend a marvelous time at the
great Darke County Fair! To insure that you continue to have a
marvelous time, the American Red Cross offers these safety tips for
fairgoers:
Be aware of the animals around you and their environment. Cows
still kick, horses still bite, chickens still peck-even if they are on
their best “fair” behavior. If your child isn’t growing up with
livestock, talk to them about petting, standing, too, close to animals
and respecting their space. Even if your child is raised in an
environment where they are used to animals, animals, not their own may
respond differently than what they are used to dealing with and the
livestock at the fair, is out of their normal environment.
When allowing older children to enjoy the fair independently, make sure
you meet up with them frequently, which will allow them their fun, but
also allow you to keep tabs on any ongoing situations. Make sure
that children coming to the fair alone have a way to contact you at all
times. In case of an emergency or if any medical treatment is
needed, children under eighteen will need a parent’s or guardian’s
signature to be released from emergency medical services care.
Establish with your younger children what do to if they become
separated from you and “you” become lost. Tell them, who they
should ask for help, where to go, who can they trust and how to deal
with strangers. The Red Cross maintains a comfort station near
EMS and Sheriff at the North End of the grandstands. This makes
an excellent meeting place.
Carry with you a compact “first-aid kit” consisting of Band-Aids, pain
relievers, emergency phone numbers, and antacids. Sunscreen is
also a commonly forgotten item when attending the fair.
Pace yourself-there is plenty of fair and the time to enjoy it.
Especially with hot weather, make sure that you drink plenty of water
before you arrive. There are a variety of comfort and respite
centers across the fairgrounds, stop in for water and rest your
feet. Be aware of heat exhaustion symptoms, especially in the
very young and the elderly who are the most susceptible.
For more information on family safety contact the American Red
Cross Northern Miami Valley Ohio Chapter at 548-1002 or go online to
www.redcross.org./NMVO
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