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With holiday celebrations in full swing,
the Virgin Islands Department of Health (DOH) in
conjunction with the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention are providing some safety tips to ensure
that residents and visitors alike have a safe, healthy and enjoyable holiday
season in the territory.
Acting Health Commissioner
Mercedes K.C. Dullum, MD compiled her own list of tips
including:
- EVERYTHING IN MODERATION EXCEPT FUN
- Keep moving. Be active at least 2 ½ hours per week or 30 minutes per day for 5 days. It is best to perform your activity at one time but if that’s not possible then break it up in to smaller periods to make up the total time. Activity not only helps to tone your muscles and burn calories, it is also the best way to help deal with stress.
- Walk up at least one flight of steps and down two.
- Encourage your children to be active for at least 1 hour a day.
- Enjoy your holiday meals but try to have an overall healthy diet during the season.
- Eat more vegetables and fruit at least 6 servings per day. Limit your portion sizes. Use your fist size as a quick measure of each serving. Balance your food types: eat protein, carbohydrates and small amounts of unsaturated fats.
Additional tips from DOH
and CDC include:
- Wash hands often to keep yourself from spreading germs and getting sick. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
- Manage stress. Don't over-commit yourself and prevent holiday anxiety and pressure. Get enough sleep.
- Don't drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger.
- Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke. There is NO safe amount of tobacco or secondhand smoke. Breathing even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous.
- Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, and age. Use a seat belt on every trip, no matter how short the trip.
- Get exams and screenings. Ask what exams you need and when to get them. Update your personal and family history.
- Get your vaccinations, which help prevent diseases and save lives.
- Monitor the children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of kids' reach. Dress warmly for outdoor activities. Develop and reinforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors including electronic media.
- Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so be careful to never leave fireplaces, space heaters, 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 promptly.
- Eat healthy, and get moving. Eat fruits and vegetables. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat and sugar. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
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