Everyone loves a good recipe, and you might be thinking, “How is this a recipe if there is no food?” This one is different. Instead of ingredients for a dish, it gives you the steps for a healthy and safe holiday. Check it out!
| INGREDIENTS: |
|---|
| Vaccination |
| Hand Soap/Hand Sanitizer |
| Face Mask |
| Food Safety Practices |
| Smoke Detectors |
| Carbon Monoxide Safety |
| Child Injury Prevention |
| Stress Management |
| Safe Traveling |
| Winter Layering |
| Winter Travel Prep |
| Power Outage Readiness |
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Get the most up-to-date vaccines during this cold and flu season. Everyone six months and older should get flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Adults 75 and older, pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks, and infants over eight months during their first RSV season (October to March) should also consider getting the RSV vaccine. Vaccines are your best defense against serious illness and help protect the people around you from getting sick. Ask your healthcare provider or local pharmacy about getting vaccinated.
- Not feeling well? Stay home when you are sick and consider wearing a mask if you need to go out. Cover coughs and sneezes and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Planning a family gathering but still feeling sick? Get tested ahead of time. Once you are feeling better, disinfect household items like blankets, doorknobs, and shared surfaces to prevent lingering germs.
- Give your immune system a boost. The best defense against illness starts with quality sleep, staying hydrated, eating nutritious and healthy meals, and finding coping strategies to manage stress. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
- Norovirus is another common winter illness that spreads easily from sick people through contaminated food and surfaces. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after using the restroom and before food preparation. Sanitize surfaces often with chemicals effective against norovirus, and do NOT prepare food for others if you have symptoms of diarrhea and/or vomiting.
- Avoid big crowds when possible, wash hands often, and keep hand sanitizer with you for times when handwashing is not possible, especially while traveling. Common areas like airports, buses, and train stations are germ hotspots. Consider wearing a mask, especially if you’re not feeling well, or consider delaying your travel plans.
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace batteries at least once a year. Have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually and never use generators indoors. Carbon monoxide is a silent danger you cannot see, smell, or taste. If your alarm goes off, leave your home immediately and call 911. Practice a home fire escape plan so everyone knows how to get out safely.
- Holidays can bring hidden dangers for babies and kids. Keep small decorations, batteries, and cords out of reach to prevent choking or other harm. Use safety gates, outlet covers, and corner guards to protect your children from potential hazards. Stay vigilant around candles, fireplaces, and space heaters. Always supervise children during cooking and gift unwrapping to prevent burns and other injuries.
- Dress appropriately for the temperature. When it is chilly, wear a light layer to stay comfortable. In cold weather, add more layers and cover your hands, feet, head, and ears. When it is freezing, wear multiple layers, hats, gloves, scarves, and warm socks. Limit your time outside and watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Shivering, numb fingers or toes, and feeling confused are warnings that you need to get warm.
- Portable heaters should be placed at least three feet away from anything that can burn and plugged directly into a wall outlet. Always turn heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep. Keeping heaters safe can prevent fires and keep your home warm without risk.
- Prepare for any winter traveling. Before traveling, check the weather and plan your route. Pack warm blankets, a flashlight, snacks, and water in your car. Let someone know your plans and travel times. Drive carefully on snow or ice and give yourself extra time to arrive safely.
- Be ready for power outages. Winter storms can cause unexpected outages. Keep flashlights, batteries, warm blankets, and charged devices ready. Never run generators inside your home or garage and avoid using propane heaters indoors.
And voila, you have yourself a holiday season so well-prepared, even your loved ones will be asking for your advice!
MORE INFORMATION:
- Learn more about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning and safe use of generators and heating appliances: CDC – Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- For tips on staying safe during winter storms, including heat, power outage, and travel safety: CDC – Winter Weather Safety
- For info on avoiding hypothermia and frostbite, and how to dress appropriately for cold weather: CDC – Hypothermia and Frostbite Prevention
- For food safety guidelines during the holidays: WIC & USDA Holiday Food Safety Resources WIC Works Resource System
This blog was adapted from materials developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics