So you want to make 2017 a healthy year, but you’re a little leery about committing to an hour at the gym every day? Here are some suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to safeguard the health and safety of you and your family, and these New Year’s resolutions all take less than five minutes.
Start the New Year right by committing to:
- Washing your hands. Regular hand washing reduces the spread to diarrheal and respiratory illness and takes only 20 seconds.
- Prevent poisonings. Keep medications and household chemicals out of reach of children and put the poison control number (800-222-1222) on every phone in the house.
- Buckle up. Make sure everyone is properly restrained in age-appropriate safety seats or safety belts. Remember, children 12 and younger should always be buckled up in the back seat
- Keep your teen driver safe. Car crashes are the leading cause of death among teens and research shows parents can help reduce the risk. Take the pledge to keep your teen driver safe.
- Gear up. When playing active sports or riding a motorcycle or bike, make sure you and your family wear protective gear, such as helmets, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads.
- Read food labels. Get in the habit of monitor how much fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugars, protein, and other ingredients are in the foods you eat and learn to recognize a serving size so that you don’t consume more than you should. Need help? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a web page designed to help you understand and use the nutrition facts label.
- Test smoke alarms. Commit to checking your smoke alarms on a monthly basis to ensure they work properly. Check or replace the battery to your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
- Check yourself out. One of the best ways to safeguard your health is to simply pay attention to your body. During or after you bathe, regularly check your skin for lumps, rashes, sores, discolorations, and other changes. Know what is normal for you when it comes to basic bodily functions, and if you notice suspicious changes in things such as urine or bowel habits, hunger, thirst, vision, weight or fatigue, see your doctor.
- Know the signs of heart attack and the symptoms of stroke. Call 911 immediately if you suspect that you or someone you know is having a heart attack or stroke. Fast action saves lives and reduces disability.
- Schedule a checkup. One of the best ways to stay healthy is to adhere to recommended exam, screening and immunization schedules. So pick up the phone and make an appointment today.
