Electric Picnic festivalgoers urged to practice good hygiene etiquette
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Festivalgoers heading to Electric Picnic later this week have been urged to be mindful of following appropriate hygiene etiquette.
According to Initial Hygiene, large numbers of people in a confined space, sharing temporary toilets and showering facilities, presents a hygiene challenge. Therefore, festivalgoers should be aware of the hygiene and health risks they could encounter and how to help avoid them.
Hands are a ‘natural breeding ground’ for bacteria and can be one of the principal carriers of disease-causing germs.
As festivalgoers often spend time in communal areas or shared facilities, germs can pass from one person to another through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces, for example, at a festival in the portaloos where multiple people touch the same door handle or toilet roll holder, or at food stalls where customers may use communal condiment bottles.
“With the music festival season coming to an end, it is still important that festivalgoers keep some basic hygiene tips in mind,” said Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager with Initial Hygiene. “While festivals can offer a fantastic experience, they also pose hygiene challenges due to large numbers of people sharing a confined space. By equipping people with some simple hygiene tips and advice, we aim to help them enjoy these events while minimising any potential hygiene risks.”
Pack sufficient wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.
The majority of infections that cause sickness and diarrhoea are spread through poor hand hygiene, so remember to wash and sanitise your hands at regular intervals, particularly before eating and after going to the toilet.
Pack plenty of clean water in your tent for drinking and cleaning your body, cooking utensils, and dirty surfaces.
When using festival toilet facilities, use your sleeves or elbows to touch door handles and taps, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Avoid urinating in public as it is unhygienic for yourself and others, and when done in large numbers, can pollute the ground.
Pack towels (microfibre towels/cloths are lightweight and practical) to ensure you can dry off when needed and help reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Wear appropriate footwear, such as a pair of wellies or a comfortable set of runners, and pack a good supply of dry socks to prevent fungal infections, blisters, and other foot conditions.
When using temporary showers, consider wearing flip-flops, jelly shoes, or crocs to keep your feet covered and avoid the spread of foot fungi.
Everyone wants to have an enjoyable and carefree time when attending any event, but for those who menstruate, be sure to pack enough period products so you are not caught short.
