Okay, the State Fair has moved to Grand Island, Nebraska which means it is easier for us to attend and we have a new claim to fame!  The State Fair can be exciting, but because of the new location, this year it seems like it is a bigger deal than ever before.

 

Since we try to cover safety and preparedness issues in this blog, maybe you are already wondering where I am going to go with all this…

 

A few weeks ago, one of my children strayed out of sight at the Kearney WalMart.  As we had walked in the door, there was an older gentleman that had been talking to him, telling him how cute he was and being “friendly”, so you can imagine everything that went through my mind when I turned around moments later and he was missing…

 

Let me praise Walmart for a minute here: after 3 minutes of frantic searching, I notified the lady by the paint counter and I have never seen anything so efficient in all my life.

 

That store went into immediate SEARCH MODE. Hats off to WalMart!  While one staff member stayed with me, calming me down, that store found my child in less than 1 minute!  (By the way, he had wandered away. He had not been abducted as I thought).

 

Okay, with that recent memory, I am thinking about the fair and all that could go wrong since I am taking my kids including the little wanderer…Here’s a couple of simple tips for you while attending the Fair this year:

 

Be realistic. Everyone goes to the fair for all kinds of "forbidden" foods and hours of fun, so recognize your limitations and the inevitable choices there for the taking. But also recognize there are things you and your family can do to stay in control, such as taking frequent breaks, eating a balanced and filling meal before you leave and getting a good night's sleep the night before.

Drink Water. Be sure to drink plenty of water before and during your visit. You can also take a cooler with you so water is readily available to prevent dehydration. Water can also help cut back on overeating.

Choose Wisely. With all of the food options available, choose your foods wisely. Foods such as grilled meats; corn on the cob and popcorn (with light or no butter); a cup of ice cream; and peanuts still allow you to enjoy the best of what the fair has to offer.

Dress Appropriately. Don't forget to dress for summer fitness and safety. Make sure everyone is wearing a hat, has generously applied sunscreen and is wearing comfortable walking shoes. For a nominal fee, power and manual wheelchairs are available for those in need of mobility assistance.

Practice Safety. Do your children have identification should they become separated? Remind your children about good and bad strangers - bad strangers do not always look scary. Make sure you have a meeting place in case you are separated or if the tornado sirens go off.

 

Empty your car. Don’t leave a lot of things in your vehicle just asking for trouble. Move valuables to the trunk or leave them at home. Prizes won at the fair should also be put in the trunk, or make sure you have a large trash bag in the car you can put them in to stop temptation.

 

Watch the weather.  It is Nebraska, you know, and now the Fair is out here where the weather gets fun fast!

 

Going to the State Fair should be fun, so please remember these tips to keep your family and friends healthy and safe.

 

Oh yeah, if you see my kid wandering around, please throw a rope around him and come find me.