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Winter Safety Introduction

Cold Weather : Frostbite & Hypothermia

Indoor Winter Safety

Outdoor Winter Safety

Vehicle and Travel Safety

Holiday Safety

Holiday Safety

Stay Healthy During the Holidays
Taking the proper precautions during the holiday season can reduce your risk of accidents and illness. Here are some simple tips everyone can do to stay healthy and prevent the risk of the flu and the common cold during this season.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and following food preparation, before eating and after using restrooms or changing diapers;
• Be careful what you touch. Hands transmit germs;
• Cover your nose and mouth with hands or tissues when coughing or sneezing;
• Get plenty of rest and eat properly; and
• When practical, minimize time in crowded areas, such as shopping centers.

Food Safety
Other illnesses, such as food poisoning, can be avoided by following these food-safety tips:

• Wash your hands before and after handling food;
• Cook foods thoroughly to safe temperatures; and
• Promptly refrigerate and store all leftovers. Don’t let food sit at room temperature for more than two hours.

Toy Safety
When considering gifts for children, keep toy safety in mind. Here are some guidelines to consider when gift giving this holiday season:

• Be careful with toys that have small removable parts, sharp points or edges. Gift givers always should read labels to ensure age appropriateness and safety.
• Bicycles, skates, scooters, sleds, skis and skateboards are popular gift items. When buying this type of gift, it’s important to be sure to include helmets and other protective gear like elbow, knee and wrist pads. Helmets and safety gear are necessities, not accessories.
• Adults should carefully inspect recreational equipment and play areas before allowing children to use new toys or equipment for the first time. Adults should provide proper instruction before kids enjoy their new toys and recreational equipment and supervise children during their use.
• Wash your hands and your child's hands after handling Christmas lighting as many contain lead housings. Watch out for chipping paint, older toys such as a second hand gift, may contain lead paint. Lead test kits are available at local hardware stores or contact the Department of Health Lead Hotline at 1-800-440-LEAD or visit for more information.
• Never accept used cribs, portable folding cribs, and car seats without checking to see whether they have been recalled. Also, used car seats may have hidden damage from a crash that makes them unsafe. For more information on crib and portable crib safety and recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission www.cpsc.gov or call: 1-800-638-2772. For recall information on a wider array of products, go to: www.recalls.gov.