Tips for a Healthy and Safe Holiday Season

West Chester, OH - The holidays are a time of celebration; however, a trip to the emergency room due to an avoidable accident could put a damper on your festivities. Here are a few tips to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy this holiday season.

• Wash hands frequently - Especially during this flu season, avoid illness and spreading germs to others by washing your hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based product, for at least 20 seconds - about the time is takes to sing the ABC song.
• Be prepared for cold - Freezing weather can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. If you're working or playing outdoors, stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing. During severe weather, check on family and neighbors who are at risk from cold weather hazards, including young children, older adults and the chronically ill.
• Travel smart - Keep an emergency kit in your car, including jumper cables, first aid kit, blanket, flashlight, extra batteries, ice scraper, roadside flares, and a bag of kitty litter in case you get stuck on ice or mud. Avoid traveling when the weather service has issued advisories. If you must travel, let someone know you'll be on the road and when you expect to arrive. Carry a cell phone and car charger.
• Don't drink and drive - And don't let someone else drink and drive. Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a 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 caution when decorating - Use step stools instead of furniture when hanging indoor decorations. Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.  Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid shocks.
• Prevent fires - Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Keep children and pets away from candles and fireplaces. When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the "Fire Resistant" label. When using a live tree, buy only fresh trees and keep them well watered to prevent drying out and catching fire.
• Keep kids safe - In homes with small children, avoid decorations and toys that are sharp, breakable or small enough to be a choking hazard. Keep children away from food, alcohol or tobacco that has been left out. Try to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep and nap schedules, to help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
• Manage stress - Keep a check on over-commitment and over-spending. Balance work, home and play. Get support from family and friends. Practice time management. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook.

"The most important thing to remember is that the holidays should be a time for fun and relaxation," says Kevin Joseph, MD, medical director of the emergency department at West Chester Medical Center. "No one wants to spend the holidays in the hospital. But if you do find yourself in need of emergency care, there's no better place than West Chester Medical Center's emergency department to get you fixed up and back home quickly to enjoy your time with friends and family."

West Chester Medical Center is a new 160-bed hospital in West Chester, Ohio, providing the latest technology delivered in a healing environment. Conveniently located and easily accessible, services include a full-service emergency department, and inpatient and outpatient diagnostic and treatment services. For more information about West Chester Medical Center, go to www.westchestermedcenter.com.

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