Summer Fairs:12 Ways to Keep Kids Safe Around Animals

Summer fairs and recreational festivals often offer opportunities for children and adults to interact with animals. Petting zoos and animal exhibits at county and state fairs usually include such creatures as chickens, cows, donkeys, ducks, geese, goats, horses, lambs, llamas, pigs, rabbits and more. Some festivals even offer rides on camels, elephants or ponies.

These animal adventures can be both educational and enjoyable, so long as human-animal interactions remain safe, smart and humane.

Here are 12 ways to keep kids (of all ages) safe and healthy around animals at county fairs, state fairs, summer festivals and petting zoos.

Prepare children before animal visits.

Wise parents and child care providers will discuss safety and proper behavior around animals with children before arriving at a fair or petting zoo. Many animals appear cute and cuddly, but may actually be dangerous, if approached inappropriately.

Ask for permission before feeding or touching animals.

Careful and polite animal visitors at county fairs, state fairs or petting zoos will inquire of owners before attempting to feed creatures or to touch them in any way.

Supervise children closely while visiting animals.

Youngsters (particularly small children) must be monitored carefully while viewing animals at a fair or petting zoo. Kids should be discouraged from putting fingers into animals' cages or enclosures, and little ones cannot be allowed to walk under large animals or to stand too close to them (see below).

Avoid making loud or sudden noises near animals.

Many animals possess sensitive hearing capabilities (for their own survival), so fair and petting zoo visitors should refrain from making loud or sudden noises that may alarm the creatures. A frightened animal can be considerably more dangerous than one that does not sense a potential threat.

Do not approach mother animals who are with their babies.

Farm animals, wild animals and even domesticated animals carry strong maternal instincts. Even the tamest creature may turn mean, if that animal senses a need to defend offspring. Baby animals are adorable, but fair and petting zoo visitors may not presume to approach these youngsters without proper caution and invitation.

Stay away from intact male animals.

Unsterilized male animals (such as boars, bulls, rams, stallions and toms) can be extremely dangerous - particularly if their female counterparts happen to be in season. Fair and petting zoo visitors should heed warning signs and give these potentially aggressive animals a wide berth.

Maintain a safe distance around livestock.

Fair and petting zoo animals should be respected, along with their personal space. In particular, spectators need to avoid the hind legs of cows, donkeys, goats, horses and other livestock.

An adult horse may weigh 1,000 to 2,000 or more. An adult cow may weigh well over 1,500 pounds. Children or adults can be severely injured by a sudden kick or even a crushed foot from an animal's misstep. A sudden swing of a large animal's head may also cause serious harm, if it should collide with a child (or even an adult).

Strollers and baby carriages should be kept out of animals' reach or range of motion.

Pay attention to animals' blind spots.

Animals may have a variety of blind spots, from which they cannot see someone approaching. For example, horses are unable to see directly in front of their faces. Cows and goats may have reduced depth perception. For safety's sake, it is usually best to approach an animal from one side, walking slowly and calmly (never suddenly) towards his or her shoulder.

Keep foreign objects out of animal cages and enclosures.

For the safety of animals and guests, fair or petting zoo visitors need to keep all objects (toys, eating utensils, trash or other items) out of animal environments. If a guest accidentally drops something into an animal's case or enclosure, the creature's owner or caretaker should be asked to retrieve it.

Don't touch faces or mouths while visiting animals.

Fair and petting zoo animals may carry germs that endanger the health of humans. For this reason, guests should not nuzzle animals on display or hold fuzzy bunnies, baby chicks or animals up to their own faces.

Visitors should also avoid touching their own eyes, noses or mouths while interacting with animals. Dropped pacifiers or baby bottles should not be used until re-sterilized.

Even holding a handrail or touching an animal's cage may be enough to transmit a bacterium or virus.

Wash hands after viewing animals.

Many county and state fairs and petting zoos offer multiple hand-washing stations. Visitors cannot over-wash their hands after interacting with wild or farm animals. Petting a goat, bottle-feeding a baby lamb, milking a cow, riding a camel or ruffling poultry feathers may be fun, but these activities may produce infection in people. Hand-washing is a must.

Antibacterial hand gel or cleansing wipes are helpful, although a complete water-submersed hand-washing is recommended before eating or drinking.

Never share food with animals.

To avoid cross-contamination, foods and drinks should be kept out of animal areas at fairs and petting zoos. Sampling of raw (or unpasteurized) dairy products is not recommended.

By following these simple health and safety practices, animal lovers can enjoy interacting with livestock, pets and wild creatures at county fairs, state fairs and petting zoos with minimal risk of harm or infection.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/spotlight_an_exhbts.htm

http://www.fair-safety.com

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/safety/petting_zoos.html

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml