Holiday Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Jolly This Season! – The holidays tend to take place during unsavory conditions. Between illnesses like the cold and flu, traveling, fires, and frostbite, we’ve got the tips to keep your family safe right here on Newsymom!
This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
The holiday season brings about so many wonderful things: hot chocolate, peppermint candy, and that warm fuzzy feeling in your tummy! (Probably caused by all the eating that we do.) Along with all the good things, the holiday season does tend to bring about some safety concerns that we need to stay aware of…
First Up, Illness!
It’s called Flu Season for a reason! Being indoors with family and friends from other places is a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria to pass from person to person. The best way to protect your family this flu season is to get vaccinated! You can schedule your flu (or any other) vaccine with the Tuscarawas County Health Department by calling (330) 343-5555 x. 100.
Other measures to take this holiday season to avoid getting sick:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or sanitize with at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Wear a mask and/or stay 6 feet away from other people
- If sick, stay home and away from others!
Next Up, Traveling Measures You Should Take
Whether you’re visiting family far away or making a shorter drive to an event, here are the things to keep in mind when on the road during these cold winter months:
- Get your car ready: have an emergency kit handy equipped with a spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack, jumper cables, tool kit or multi-purpose utility tool, first aid kit, food and water, and lighting (flares, flashlight, etc.).
- Don’t drive tired! Get plenty of rest before taking off on a road trip.
- Always buckle up yourself and all passengers, no matter how short the distance is.
- Have a DD on deck – When drinking alcohol, designate a driver who stays sober to drive you and others home safely. (And keep some sacks in the car for barfing, just in case!)
Fire Starters, Fire Starters Everywhere!
Candles, fireplaces, and lots of cooking, combined with all the festive (flammable) decor makes a perfect breeding ground for fires! Take these preventive measures to ensure you aren’t calling the fire department to your home this holiday season:
- Christmas Trees – If artificial, make sure the label says “fire resistant”. If a live tree is used, make sure to cut off 2 inches of the trunk for better water absorption! When the tree is dry, it’s time to remove it from your space.
- Decorating – Don’t block doorways with your tree or decor, and keep them at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. Keep candles away from the kiddos or use flameless candles to ease your worries!
- Re-Think Your Cooking Plans – If you prepare your food this season, take the precautions to avoid both food poisoning and starting a fire!
The Tuscarawas County Health Department wants your family to stay safe and jolly this season! Call them at (330) 343-5555 x. 100 to get your families’ vaccinations scheduled to stay ahead of the game. You can also visit them at www.tchdnow.org to see what other services they offer you and your family.
Make sure to follow along on Facebook (@tchdnow) for the latest news and safety tips to keep your family jolly and safe this holiday season!
Melissa Klatt
Reporting
