Behind-the-scenes look at safety inspections as Villain Arts Tattoo Festival kicks off

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Villain Arts Tattoo Festival kicked off at Milwaukee's Baird Center Friday, and we got a behind-the-scenes look at how health inspectors help keep the festival safe before it even starts. 

The Milwaukee Health Department's Consumer Environmental Health team inspected the tattoo and piercing vendors, making sure sanitation practices were up to standard.

They made sure vendors are using single-use equipment, inks, and giving proper aftercare instructions, along with making sure all artists are licensed. 

"Feel free to ask those questions, right?" said Carly Hegarty, MHD. "Do you have your state license? Can I see it? How do I know that the equipment is sterile? We really want them to ask those questions, and a good practitioner is going to be more than happy to share that information with you."

The festival runs from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday and is open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12.