NOVEMBER 25 & 28, 2015
SILVER BELLS
HERMISTON HERALD/EAST OREGONIAN • PAGE 6
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y
!
Holiday Health
and
Safety Tips
12 Ways to Health
1. Wash hands.
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.
2. Bundle up for warmth. 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.
3. Manage stress. The holidays don’t need to take a toll
on your health. Keep a check on over-commitment and over-
spending. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from
family and friends. Practice time management. Keep a relaxed
and positive outlook.
4. Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill
someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injure someone every two
minutes. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let someone else drink
and drive.
5. Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and breathing other
people’s smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-
NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.
6. Fasten belts while driving. Wear a seat belt
every time you drive or ride 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,
and age.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Monitor the 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.
10. Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur
during the winter months. 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.
11. Prepare dinner safely. As you prepare holiday
meals, keep you and your family safe from food-related
illness. Wash hands and surfaces often. 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.
Refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for
more than two hours.
12. Eat well, and get moving. 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 2 1/2 hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at
least 1 hour a day.
The holidays are a time to
celebrate, give thanks, and
reflect. They are also a time
to pay special attention to
your health. Give the gift of
health and safety to yourself
and others by following these
holiday tips.