Brighten the holidays by making your health and safety a priority. Take steps to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy—and ready to enjoy the holidays.
- Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It’s flu season. Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product.
- Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots.
- Manage stress. The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health. Keep a check on over-commitment and over-spending. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep. Get support from family and friends. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook.
- Don’t drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
- Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and breathing other people’s smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.
- Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip and encourage passengers to do the same.
- Get exams and screenings. Schedule a visit with your health care provider for a yearly exam. Ask what tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, medical history, and family health history.
- Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Ask your health care provider what vaccinations you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, and medical history.
- Monitor children. Children are at high risk for injuries that can lead to death or disability. Keep a watchful eye on your kids when they’re eating and playing. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy), household items, and other objects out of kids’ reach. Learn how to provide early treatment for children who are choking. Make sure toys are used properly.
- Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so don’t leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended. Keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees, and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Don’t use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test them once a month, and replace batteries twice a year. Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
- Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: clean, separate, cook, chill. As you prepare holiday meals, keep you and your family safe from food-related illness. Clean: wash hands and surfaces often. Separate: avoid cross contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Chill: refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.
- Eat healthy, stay active. With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Select just one or two of your favorites from the host of tempting foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your favorite holiday music. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
Be inspired to stay in the spirit of good health! Listen to The 12 Ways to Health Holiday Song.
Source: CDC.gov