- Wash your hands often
- Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash hands with soap & running water for 20+ seconds, or use a waterless alcohol-based product.
- Stay warm
- Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry & dress warmly in several layers of clothing.
- Manage stress
- The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health. Balance work, home, and play. Practice time management. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook.
- Travel safely
- Never drink & drive. Wear a seat belt anytime you're in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, & age.
- Be smoke free
- Avoid smoking & breathing other people's smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.
- Get check-ups and vaccinations
- Exams and screenings can help find problems before they start. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Schedule a visit with your health care provider for a yearly exam. Ask what vaccinations and tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, medical history, and family health history.
- Watch the kids
- Children are at high risk for injuries. Keep a watchful eye on your kids when they’re eating & playing. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy), and other objects out of kids' reach. Learn what to do for a choking child.
- Prevent injuries
- Injuries from falls often occur around the holidays. Use step stools instead of furniture when hanging decorations.
- Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees, & curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Install smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test them once a month, and replace batteries twice a year.
- Handle & prepare food safely
- As you prepare holiday meals, keep you and your family safe from food-related illness. Wash hands & surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods & eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature, refrigerate promptly & don't leave perishable foods out for over two hours.
- Eat healthy and be active
- With balance & moderation. Choose fresh fruit as a sweet substitute for cookies or candy. Select just one or two of your favorites from a buffet of tempting foods. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
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