Sheriff: Fair is very safe, but always be prepared

ESCANABA -- While the Upper Peninsula State Fair has been a safe and secure environment throughout the years, Delta County Sheriff Ed Oswald offered tips to help safely navigate the crowded event.

"The fair, for the most part, isvery safe -- it's a safe place for you and your family," he said.

He explained one of his main concerns that could cause injury in a crowded place, like the fair, is a stampede or crush caused by people panicking from a perceived threat or danger.

Often in large crowds when a panic erupts, Oswald said the perceived threat turns out to be unfounded, but people can still get injured and killed by being crushed or suffocated in a stampede.

"That's probably my major concern I would have," he said.

In case of a stampede, Oswald advises to not panic, stay on your feet, keep your hands and arms up by your chest and move diagonally through people.

"Stampedes have shown in the past to have surges," he said. "Use the lull to move diagonally through the gaps."

He added if in a stampede situation people should not yell, as it wouldn't do any good and it would waste energy needed to navigate out of the fast-moving crowd.

He also said people should know the layout of the area they are at.

"If you start to see people start to panic, take action and get out of the situation," he said.

When it comes to thefts at the fair, Oswald said overall there has not been a lot of problems.

He said a lot of the time when things are taken at the fair, it is because people leave valuables in plain site within their vehicles.

He noted over the years there have been reports of stolen vehicles, however, it is almost always a case of looking in the wrong parking lot.

Another tip for a safe time at the fair is to create a plan with kids in the event of them becoming lost at the fair.

Oswald suggests making a plan on where to meet others in your party later on if you plan on splitting up, make sure companiions know your cellphone number, and when walking around the fair with younger children continuously point out areas to meet if suddenly separated.

He explained most children instinctively look for police when lost, but parents can always call 911 if they lost their child.

Out and about at the fair on a hot August day can also cause people to be more susceptible to heat-related problems.

Oswald said people should stay hydrated while attending the yearly event.