OCEAN COUNTY – It’s important to stay healthy during the holiday season. Thankfully, government officials have some tips to make sure everyone strives for tip-top health.
“It’s imperative to make sure you and your family’s health and safety are a priority. By remembering just a few simple and easy tips you can make getting into the festive spirit a little easier,” Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said. He’s the liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health.
Here are the 12 Tips For Holiday Health, as provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It’s flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
- Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots.
- Manage stress. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Get plenty of sleep.
- Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke.
- Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age.
- Get exams and screenings. Ask your health care provider what exams you need and when to get them. Update your personal and family history.
- Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
- Monitor children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of children’s reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls, and other potential accidents.
- Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
- Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly.
- Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least two-and-a-half hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least one hour a day.
- Don’t drink and drive or let others drink and drive.
“These are great tips to follow during the holidays, but they are also important to put in practice the rest of the year as well. Share them with your family and friends and hopefully they will pass them along as well,” Daniel E. Regenye, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator, said.
For more information, visit ochd.org and phu2.org.
