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How to safely attend fall fairs and events

The leaves are changing and cooler days are ahead, and with them come autumn events and celebrations for everyone. Whether you are planning on attending fall fairs, concerts or spending time outdoors, we have some suggestions that will keep you healthy so that you can enjoy fall to its fullest.

Even though the sun may not feel as hot into the fall months, it is still important to be sun safe when spending time outdoors by doing the following:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty as this is a sign that you are becoming dehydrated.
  • Limit time in the sun during the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  • Stay in cool, shaded areas while the sun is out or bring your own source of shade, such as an umbrella or tent.
  • Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and wear a lip balm with sunscreen. Apply 30 minutes before going outside and every two hours or after skin becomes wet from water or sweating. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under the age of 6 months. Wear light-coloured, loose fitting long sleeves and long pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and sunglasses or eyeglasses with UV protection.
  • If you experience any heat-related symptoms, visit a health facility immediately. 

For more information, please see our webpages on sun safety.
Many people may take advantage of warm autumn days to enjoy water activities in Simcoe Muskoka’s many lakes, rivers, recreational facilities and private pools. Here are some reminders to help you stay safe:
  • Swim with a buddy and remember that children should never swim alone or be left unsupervised when around any body of water.
  • Learn to swim and teach children and youth learn about water safety. It can also help to take a first aid course and learning water rescue and safety skills.
  • If you drink, don't drive your boat. Avoid the use of cannabis and other drugs as well.
  • Wear a lifejacket or personal flotation devices (PFD) when boating. They can also be worn when spending time around the water.

For more information, please see our webpages on water safety.

Trying to fit in the last barbecue or picnic? Follow these food safety recommendations to avoid food-borne illness:

Keep things clean:

  • Pack soap and a cloth for washing and ensure there is a safe source of water available. If tap water is not available, use bottled water or boil untreated water for two minutes before using.
  • Wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after handling food.
  • Clean all cooking surfaces and utensils with soap and warm water before and after each use. Before packing your cooler, wash it with soap, sanitize with a bleach-water solution, and rinse with cold water.

Keep raw meats, poultry, fish, and eggs separate:

  • Prevent cross-contamination of bacteria by storing raw meats, poultry, fish, and eggs separately from other foods. Pack these foods in leak-proof bags at the bottom of your cooler or pack them in a separate cooler.
  • Pack two sets of utensils and use one set for raw meats only.

Chill perishable foods:

  • Keep all perishable foods cold, at a temperature of 0-4⁰C. Pack them in an insulated cooler with ice packs, frozen water bottles, or bags of ice. Be sure to keep your cooler out of the sun.
  • Never leave perishable foods out for more than one to two hours.

Cook foods to the appropriate temperature:

  • Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Pack a digital thermometer to help you determine if your food is cooked thoroughly.

For more information, please see our webpages on food safety.

 

Fall fairs are known for their sweet and savoury foods. Here are some tips to help you make healthy food choices while attending summer events and gatherings:

  • Eat a variety of healthy foods to help make sure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs.
  • Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein foods.
  • Limit highly processed foods that are often high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.
  • Make water your drink of choice.
For more information, please see our webpages on healthy eating.

When enjoying the outdoors, we enter tick and mosquito habitats. The risks of Lyme disease, transmitted by blacklegged ticks, and West Nile virus, carried by certain mosquitoes, are increasing throughout Simcoe Muskoka because of the warmer temperatures brought on by climate change. To decrease your exposure to tick or mosquito-borne illnesses, you can take the following actions:

  • Avoid or limit your time outdoors at dusk or dawn, as this is when mosquitoes are most active.
  • When outdoors in grassy or wooded areas, wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants, shoes with closed toes, and tuck your pant cuffs into your socks. Light-coloured clothing makes ticks easier to see.
  • Use an insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin. Before using an insect repellent, make sure it is registered in Canada, read the label, and follow the manufacturer’s directions. If using a spray repellent, be sure to use the product in a well-ventilated area. Apply only to exposed skin and/or clothing - never underneath clothing.
  • Do a full body tick check on yourself and your family (including pets) after being outdoors.
  • If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible and check the rest of your body as there could be more. Once removed, visit eTick.ca to identify the tick and follow the guidance provided. If you develop any symptoms associated with Lyme disease, be sure to speak with your health care provider.

For instructions on doing a tick check and to learn more about Lyme disease, visit our webpage on Lyme Disease and Ticks.
  • When attending public events, wash your hands often to prevent yourself from getting sick and to stop the spread of germs to others. Use soap and running water for 15 seconds if your hands are dirty with soil, grease, or grime. You can use alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds if there is no soil, grime or grease on your hands. If there is no running water available use wet towelettes to remove the soil and then use alcohol-based hand rub.
  • If you become ill with diarrhea, vomiting, rash, and/or fever, stay home. If you have a cough or runny nose, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands often, and stay home. If your illness lasts many days or becomes worse, you should seek medical attention from your health care provider and tell them you attended an event.
  • Ensure vendors offering aesthetics, nail care, hairstyling/barbering or piercings have been inspected by the health unit.

If you choose to drink in a licensed or permitted area at a fall fair or event, keep the following recommendations in mind to reduce the harms associated with alcohol:

  • Use Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health for information on how to reduce your risks when consuming alcohol.
  • No amount of alcohol is safe when pregnant. 
  • Alcohol impairs your judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Arrange a way home in advance if you are planning to drink at an event. Driving while impaired is illegal and dangerous. Avoid being a passenger with an impaired driver.
  • Mixing alcohol with other drugs can be dangerous and sometimes fatal. Get immediate medical assistance if you or anyone else is experiencing the harmful effects of mixing alcohol and drugs.

For more information, please see our webpages on Alcohol.

When attending fall fair of events you are strongly encouraged not to smoke or vape to protect your own health, and to protect staff, volunteers, and guests (including children) from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and vapour, and to reduce fire-related risks. If you do choose to smoke or vape at an event, you must comply with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which states that smoking of tobacco and/or cannabis and vaping of any substance is prohibited as follows:

  • inside all public places and workplaces, including buildings, work vehicles and indoor and outdoor food and/or beverage areas;
  • on patios and within 9 metres of a patio where food and drink is served, including outdoor areas where seating tables are provided for patrons to consume their meal or beverage;
  • inside buildings, temporary structures that are covered, work vehicles, and washrooms (including portable toilets) at the event.

For more information, visit our Smoking and Tobacco webpage.

Thinking of quitting? Visit Don’t Quit Quitting or SmokersHelpline.ca for tips and online support for your quit attempt.

If you choose to use cannabis in permitted areas at a fall fair or event, keep the following recommendations in mind to reduce the harms associated with cannabis:

  • Follow Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines to reduce the risk of potential harmful effects from cannabis.
  • No amount or form of cannabis (flower, edibles, oils, creams) is safe during pregnancy. It is safest to avoid use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Cannabis impairs your judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Arrange a way home in advance if you will be using cannabis at an event. Driving while impaired is illegal and dangerous. Avoid being a passenger with a driver impaired by cannabis.

Those who choose to use cannabis at events must comply with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which states that:

  • inside all public places and workplaces, including buildings, work vehicles and indoor and outdoor food and/or beverage areas.
  • on patios and within 9 metres of a patio where food and drink is served including outdoor areas where seating tables are provided for patrons to consume their meal or beverage.
  • inside buildings, temporary structures that are covered, work vehicles and washrooms (including portable toilets) at the event.

For more information, please see our webpages on Cannabis.

Opioids

  • Illicit drugs can be laced with powerful opioids, such as fentanyl. Fentanyl and other substances can be hard to detect and can make the dose and sedation much higher than expected. Fentanyl in the illicit drug supply remains unpredictable and can lead to overdose or death.
  • Benzodiazepines have been showing up in the Simcoe Muskoka illicit opioid supply. Benzodiazepines compound the effects of opioids. When opioids and benzodiazepines are taken together (accidentally or not) it increases the risk of overdose and death.
  • If you use opioids or other illicit substances, never use alone, stay with friends you trust and keep an eye on each other and carry a Naloxone kit (learn how to administer it first).
  • Naloxone kits are available free of charge to people at risk of an opioid poisoning, their family and friends. They are available at health unit offices and other community partners as well as participating pharmacies. To find a location close to you visit: Where to get a free Naloxone kit.
  • If you are alone, before you use, consider calling the National Overdose Response Service at 1-800-484-3731 to make an overdose response plan.
  • If you are unsure of the strength of your substance, it is always safer to start with a lower dose and take more if desired.

 

Know the signs of an opioid overdose:

  • Breathing will be slow or gone
  • Lips and nails are blue/purple
  • Person is not moving
  • Person may be choking
  • You can hear gurgling sounds or snoring
  • Person can’t be woken up
  • Skin feels cold and clammy
  • Pupils are tiny

 

Harm Reduction Program Exchange Works

Harm reduction programs provide access to a variety of drug using equipment including equipment for inhalation and injection. Some partners also provide Naloxone kits (with training), counselling, education, health care and referrals as needed. Harm reduction supplies can be picked up at health unit offices, as well as a variety of community partners. Locations can be found at: smdhu.org/ExchangeWorks.

For more information, please see our webpages on Opioids.

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