Stay Safe This Holiday Season

The holidays are here—a time of special celebrations, to soak in those special moments with family and friends and count our blessings. But let’s be honest, it can also get a little chaotic!  Between jam-packed schedules, unpredictable weather, budget stress, and endless sweet treats, it’s easy to let our health and safety slide.

Don’t let the festivities derail your well-being! To keep your holidays merry, bright, and safe, we’ve gathered expert tips from the CDC, National Safety Council, and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Here’s how you can make the most of this special time while staying healthy and secure.

Holiday Self-Care Tips

• Get check-ups.  Have you had your vision and dental visits this year?  Are you getting adjusted by your chiropractor regularly?  Get the most out of your insurance coverage by utilizing your benefits before they expire at the end of the year.
• Wash your hands often. It’s a given year-round, but with weather changes and more close contact, it’s more important than ever to help you avoid those seasonal viruses that can spoil holiday plans.
• Dress for the weather.  Especially infants and older adults are more prone to illness as the weather cools.  Dressing in layers can help you stay comfortable as the temperature fluctuates during the day.
• Do not smoke.  If you are a smoker, stopping would be an excellent gift to yourself and your family this year.  And it frees up money to spend on the fun of the season!
• Make wise choices for diet.  It’s ok to splurge and have a little piece of Grandma’s famous pecan pie – but use portion control.  Rather than fill your plate to the point of breaking, take smaller serving sizes or make the decision to only eat a few items.
• Make time for healthy movement.  Even during the holidays, kids and teens need an hour a day of activity and adults need at least 2 ½ hours per week.  Exercise during the holidays doesn’t have to mean sweating in the gym alone.  Dance with friends and family, sign up for a holiday themed walk/run or grab the family for a friendly game of backyard ball.
• Manage Stress.  Be aware of your time and financial commitments and do not overextend yourself.   Consider dividing tasks for large family or social gatherings.    If you are struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  For more information see our article “Lower Your Stress With Time Management”.    https://www.tnchiro.com/articles/lower-your-stress-with-time-management/
• Have a designated driver.  Whether you are out on the town or you are hosting the party at your home, make sure everyone has a safe ride home.   Individually, alcohol, some over the counter, prescription and illegal drugs can all cause impairment.  When more than 1 of these are combined, the risks can increase rapidly.

 

 

Tips to Stay Safe at Home

• Are you child-proofed?  If you have young children, choose decorations, and their placement, carefully.   Consider a barrier or safety gate to prevent children from accessing certain areas.  It’s easy for children to get wrapped up in the excitement of the season and not pay attention to their surroundings, making them more prone to injury.
• Self-care for the little ones.  It can be even harder for children to know when it’s time to stop.   When you see them getting overstimulated, help them learn self-care by having them take a time-out break to settle down.  This could be a great time to read a book together or enjoy a healthy snack.  Or it maybe even time for a nap.
• Know the poison control number.  Many holiday plants are poisonous. Some decorations like spray snow are also toxic.  Use non-toxic items when available, and always use caution especially around children and pets.
• Are you pet-proofed? Use extra caution when pets are around your decorations.  Avoid décor that may be mistaken for food or place them in an area that will not be accessible to pets.  Some foods we enjoy can be dangerous to pets.  Be careful what is within reach of your pet.  Keep the number for your vet or pet emergency line handy in case you have questions, or your pet gets into something they shouldn’t.

• Be proactive to prevent injuries. In 2023, hospital emergency departments treated approximately 14,900 people due to holiday decorating-related injuries and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) reports “there are about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries each day during the holidays, with nearly half involving falls.”   Safety first!  Use stable stepstools/ladders and proper lifting techniques to prevent falls and back injuries, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.  

• Don’t shortchange food safety.  Even in the hectic holiday season, there’s always time to wash your hands and prep areas frequently.   Allow time for the food to cook to the proper temperature.  Put perishable food up in a timely manner.  Don’t leave food out for an excessive time without refrigerating it.  A few minutes to do these tasks can prevent hours of misery!
• Inspect your decorations for safety issues.  Are your outdoor lights rated for outdoors?  Are there broken or cracked sockets or bare wires on your light sets?  How many light sets are on your plug?  Ensuring that everything is set up properly and powered safely helps ensure your care-free time enjoying your efforts.
• Act as your own fire marshal.  According to The National Fire Protection Association, as many as 46% of fires each December are caused by candles!  Ensure burning candles will not be easily knocked over and that they are out of reach of children and pets.  Never leave them unattended.  Flameless candles are a great way to get the ambiance while being safe to use near flammable objects.
• Don’t forget the fireplace.  When using a fireplace, the screen can help embers stay where they belong.  And remember to have your chimney checked and cleaned annually.  If you missed changing batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when the time changed, this is a great time to do that task!
• Choose gifts wisely.  Toys are age-rated for safety.  When you are purchasing items, be aware that you are looking at toys that are geared for the age of the child.  Be cautious of toys with small parts or button batteries, especially for young children.  If you are concerned about the safety of a toy or a possible recall, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

 

Tips to Stay Safe When You Are “Out and About”

• Travel safely. Whether grandma’s house is down the street or across the country, make good choices and be safe when traveling.  Buckle up in the car.  Don’t stack gifts to block the driver’s line of sight.  Don’t drink and drive.  Leave the texting to the passengers.  Regardless of your mode of travel, allow plenty of time.  There will be added traffic on the roads and in the airports – plan for it.   For more information see our article “Summer Travel Aches and Strains Can be a Pain in the Back”.
• Shop aware!   With stores being more crowded, there’s less room to maneuver making it more vital to be alert.  For more tips on safe shopping, see our article “Holiday Shopping Shouldn’t Be A Pain“.

• Keep kids safe while shopping: Busy stores can be overwhelming, so teach kids your name, phone number, and how to find a clerk if you get separated. Snap a photo of them before heading in to remember their outfit. If they’re prone to wandering, consider hiring a sitter or swapping childcare duties with another parent to make shopping easier.

Above all, take time with friends and family to relish the season.  Be safe and enjoy!

 

 

Sources:

 

National Safety Council. “Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season”  https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/winter-safety/holiday  accessed 12/2/2024

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). Office of Women’s Health. (2011). “Holiday health and safety tips”.  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21263  accessed 12/2/2024

United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Holiday Safety”. https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Holiday-Safety   accessed 12/2/2024