How to safely enjoy the county fair

As a child, going to the fair was a magical place. I never noticed the heat or worried about the crowds being a potential source of illness. As an adult, the heat is a different story and when I go to events, I wonder if it will be a super spreader.

Everything we do has an element of risk to it, but we can take steps to protect ourselves and our families and still enjoy some of our traditional fall activities. Before you decide not to go to the county fair or the Hot Springs Arts and Crafts Fair in October, there are several things you can do to help keep your family safe and cool:

• Wear light-colored clothing.

• Stay hydrated, but avoid drinking alcohol or very sugary drinks.

• Take breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned building.

• Make sure to wear sunscreen and a hat.

• Drape a damp towel or bandanna over the back of your neck.

By taking a few precautions, the fair can still be a great family activity. Remember, if the sun is shining on you, it is easy to become overheated even on a moving ride. Also, consider leaving your pets at home. Service dogs are allowed in public buildings, but not every place will be accessible to your pet, even if it serves as an emotional support animal.

Fifi or Fido can quickly become heat stressed and even end up with burned paws from hot sidewalks. Small children riding in a stroller

(even with a shade) or being carried can build up heat and become overheated, too.

Here are some tips to protect against exposure to COVID-19:

• Assess whether anyone in your family is showing signs of illness or has been in contact with anyone ill or quarantining before going.

• Bring hand sanitizer and wipes to use before and after rides and eating.

• Make sure each family member older than 2 years old has a mask and attach lanyards to them to prevent them from being dropped and lost.

• Avoid crowded areas with low ventilation.

• Maintain social distancing as much as possible even when outside.

• Make sure that all eligible members of your family are vaccinated.

Before you go to crowded events, it is always a good idea to discuss with your children what they can do to help prevent the spread of illness. Actions like sneezing or coughing into your shoulder and not your hand, plus not touching your face, are always good preventive measures. Children tend to run their hands over surfaces that could potentially harbor pathogens. Encouraging them to look but not touch as much as possible can help prevent problems. Practicing good health habits like washing hands after using the bathroom and before eating are always our best line of defense against any type of illness.

So, in case you do decide to go to the fairs this year, remember what Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” You can always stop in at the EHC Kitchen for some delicious, homestyle cooking and a chance to relax in one of the only air-conditioned buildings at the fair.

For more information on events at the fair or to find out how to enter items in the cultural arts division visit, www.garlandcountyfair.com. If you would like to know more about how to stay safe in the heat or protect your family from COVID-19, contact the Garland County Extension office by calling 501-623-6841 or come by 236 Woodbine St.

Master Gardener information

Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge. The meetings are open to the public, and guests are welcome. For more information, call the Extension office at 623-6841 or email Alex Dykes at adykes@uada.edu.

EHC information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call 6236841 or email Alison Crane, family and consumer sciences agent, at acrane@uada.edu. Follow Alison on Facebook @garlandEGF and @Garland FCS, and EHC on Facebook @GarlandCountyEHC.

4-H information

There are several 4-H Clubs for Garland County youths who are 5 to 19 years old. For information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, contact Carol Ann McAfee, family and consumer sciences agent, at the Extension office, call 501-623-6841, or email cmcafee@ uada.edu. More information is available at http://www.uaex.edu/ garland.