Your health: Tips for a healthy holiday season

Tips for a healthy holiday season

Brighten the holidays by making your health and safety a priority.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests taking the following steps to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy — and ready to enjoy the holidays.

Wash hands often: It's flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds to help prevent the spread of germs.

Manage stress: Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.

Bundle up: Stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots.

Be smoke-free: Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.

Fasten seat belts: Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip and encourage passengers to do the same.

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 don't leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended. 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 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least one hour a day.