Behavior Change and Health News
Health and Safety Tips for the Holidays
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation’s foremost authority on health, has provided tips to keep you healthy and safe during the holiday season:
- Wash hands often to keep yourself from spreading germs and getting sick.
- Bundle up and stay dry to keep warm.
- Manage stress by keeping a check on overcommitting and overspending.
- Don't drink alcohol and drive, and don't let anyone else drink and drive.
- Avoid smoking and breathing other people’s smoke.
- Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car by using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to the child's height, weight, and age.
- Get exams and screenings. Ask your health care provider what exams and tests you need and when to get them.
- Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives.
- Monitor children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of kids’ reach. Make sure toys are used properly.
- Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan.
- Prepare food safely. Remember four simple steps: Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures, and refrigerate promptly.
- Eat healthy, and get moving. Limit portion sizes and foods high in saturated fat and sugar. Be active for at least 2.5 hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
For more information on health and safety, please visit the CDC's web site.
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