December is Holiday Safety Awareness Month. The holidays are a wonderful time of the year, but because of all the hustle and bustle, it is important to be cognizant of your health and safety. Below are a few tips for maintaining health and safety during the holidays this year.
Travel
Many people travel to see friends and family for Christmas, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can mean bumper-to-bumper traffic. Remember to remain calm and patient during these situations and to obey all applicable traffic laws. Consider leaving early for your road trip if you must arrive by a specific time. Remember always to buckle your seatbelt and consider stopping to rest if you become tired on a long car ride.
Diet
The holiday season brings with it some delicious but not-so-healthy foods. If you do partake in some Christmas treats, be sure you are also consuming nourishing foods as well. Maintaining a healthy level of activity is also essential.
Cooking foods to a safe internal temperature is also imperative. If friends and family are coming over, it can be easy to become stressed and undercook food if guests arrive early. Be sure to take your time cooking, taking the temperature of each food item with a food-grade thermometer to ensure it is cooked to the proper internal temperature.
Gifting
Giving age-appropriate toys is vital to ensure the safety of the children at your holiday gathering. If you are giving a gift to a child, it is a good idea to look at the age recommendation on the packaging. For small children, it is best to gift toys that are not easily breakable and do not come apart in small pieces.
For more recommendations for staying safe during the holidays, you can view the CDC’s article “12 Ways to Stay Safe During the Holiday Season” here. You can find guidelines for safe gifts for children here.
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