Health Topic

Staying Healthy Around the Holidays
Tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1. Wash hands often to keep yourself from spreading germs and getting sick.
2. Bundle up and stay dry to keep warm.
3. Manage stress- check yourself to prevent over-commitment and over-spending.
4. Don't drink and drive. Don't let anyone else drink and drive.
5. Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and breathing other people’s smoke.
6. Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to the child's height, weight, and age.
7. Get health exams and screenings. Ask your health care provider what exams and tests you need and when to get them.
8. Get your vaccinations and stay up to date on them. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives.
9. Monitor the children- Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of kids’ reach. Make sure toys are used properly.
10. Practice fire safety-Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan.
11. Prepare food safely- Remember four simple steps: wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures, and refrigerate promptly.
12. Eat healthy, and get moving. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat and sugar. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

For more information on winter related health emergencies, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/