This is the third post in a mini series regarding the concept of an instrumental petting zoo. In previous posts, I discussed the concept of the petting zoo as well as how to select and find instruments.
One of the most vital concepts to the success of the petting zoo is sanitation. With so many sicknesses and diseases spreading, your petting zoo will be shut down if the parents are not convinced that the zoo is being handled in the most sanitary means possible. To that end, Jana recommends that you have the following supplies:
- Paper Towels
- Rubber Gloves
- Hand Sanitizer
- Disinfectant spray
- Sterisol Germicide Concentrate
Multiple bottles of hand sanitizer should be placed at every station and all volunteers should wear rubber gloves and either change gloves between each child or put hand sanitizer over the gloves. The most important sections to disinfect are the brass and woodwind sections as the spit lends itself to a higher risk of germs. For the brass instruments and bodies of the woodwind instruments, liberally spray disinfectant spray onto the paper towels and wipe them down gently. You can reuse reeds for the woodwind instruments, however they must be soaked in a concentrate of Sterisol for about twenty minutes before they can be used again. Jana warns the kids prior to the start of the event not to grab anything as they might grab something that has not been disinfected. They must wait until a volunteer hands it to them.
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