'Tis the season for family get-togethers, massive meals, football, office parties, gift-giving, and all things festive. We at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) hope the following tips and resources help each and every one of you have the safest, happiest, healthiest holiday season possible.
Between the traditional holiday meals, the constant parade of snacks and sweets being brought into the workplace, and the buffet your friends set out for the big game(s), there's a lot of food in your immediate future. It's important to keep healthy practices in mind along the way.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers four simple steps that can be used when it comes to any meal, whether it's the Thanksgiving feast or a quick Tuesday night supper: clean, separate, cook, and chill. These steps help you get food from the kitchen to the plate to the fridge without making anyone sick.
We know turkey is likely on the menu for the big November holiday, so please check out our Thanksgiving post for information on thawing, roasting, and storing the big birds. If you're thinking of smoking or frying your turkey, please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service for important safety reminders.
We also realize this is a time of indulgence for many when it comes to food. While it's okay to treat yourself, we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't urge you to make healthy, balanced choices even at the most lavish of meals. Check out MyPlate for more information.
We've got most of it covered in our Safe Toys & Gifts Month post, but we'll point out here that one of the most important things you can do is consider the age of the child you're buying gifts for. If you're buying for someone three years of age or younger, be mindful of small parts that can become choking hazards. If you're buying for older kids, make sure to include any appropriate safety gear like helmets or pads. An easy thing you can do is ask a child's parents what they consider appropriate, and go from there!
One thing we consider a permanent feature on the Naughty List is water beads. Even if you give them to someone old enough to safely use them, they can be a danger to younger siblings or pets if left in accessible places. Check out our post on water beads to learn more about them.
How does that old song go? "Over the river and across four lanes of traffic in icy conditions, sandwiched between two 18-wheelers with dense fog ahead, to grandmother's house we go..."? That doesn't sound right, but in some places those are exactly the kind of conditions you may face on the road this holiday season.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) views "Thanksgiving Eve" as the start of the holiday period, as it is the traditional day when people begin traveling to family get-togethers. Over the next several weeks (or any time, really), it doesn't matter if you're going to grandma's, trying to get to the airport to make your flight, or driving home from a friend's after 12 straight hours of SEC football, you need to buckle up, obey the rules of the road, and consider getting a ride with someone if you're buzzed or drunk. Visit the NHTSA for more information.
As fall gives way to winter, you may find yourself enjoying a nice evening around a firepit, or maybe even in somebody's field with an enormous bonfire. If building a fire, be sure to build it a safe distance from your home, your shrubs, and other flammable materials. Visit our Fire Prevention post for more tips about safe outdoor fires, including grilling and setting off fireworks. We cover indoor fires there, too, with some important information about smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and cooking!
As the season moves on and the temperatures fall, fireplaces, space heaters, and wood stoves may come into play as ways to keep your house warm. ADPH's Injury Prevention program offers some important tips on how to heat your house safely.
Nothing spoils a party like getting sick and having to miss the party. Vaccines give you the best chance of staying healthy so you can do all the things you want to do this season --- the Santa photos, the school plays, the New Year's parties, and all the rest. ADPH's Ask Your Doctor page has information on vaccines for flu, RSV, pneumonia, and more. We encourage you to talk to your doctor about which vaccines are best for you.
We've been talking a lot about the fun activities that abound this time of year. But we know that, for many people, the holidays are hard. For a variety of reasons, holidays can be stressful and lonely, leaving people feeling vulnerable and even hopeless. If you or someone you know is feeling this way, please dial 988, the national number for all mental health, substance abuse, and suicide crises. You can learn more about available resources at ADPH's Suicide Prevention program.