RWJ Hamilton Offers Tips For Enjoying a Happy, Healthy and Safe Holiday Season

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY - The holidays are a time to celebrate the season with family and friends, give thanks, and reflect. They are also a time to pay special attention to your health and safety so your celebrations will go just the way you planned.

"The holidays add a lot of extra stress to our normally stressful days," says Mark Magariello, MD, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) Occupational and Corporate Health Medical Director, "during this hectic season accidents and injuries can happen if we place health and safety concerns on the back burner." To enjoy the shopping, cooking and caroling and keep yourself and your family happy, healthy and safe, remember these tips.

• Wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading germs.
• Dress for the weather, wear a hat and gloves, stay warm and dry.
• Don't overindulge in food or drink—limit those that are high in fat and sugar.
• Balance your calorie intake with your physical activity.
• Take food safety precautions: wash hands and food surfaces often, don't mix cooked and uncooked meat and poultry, cook foods thoroughly, refrigerate foods promptly.
• Maintain a regular, daily exercise routine—it's good for your physical and mental health.
• Keep children away from potentially dangerous toys, foods, drinks, household items, etc.
• Be fire smart. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended.
• If you have a Christmas tree in your home, keep it away from heat sources. Water fresh-cut trees every day to decrease their fire hazard.
• Be careful when stringing holiday lights and don't overburden electrical outlets.
• Keep your stress level in check. Don't over-commit or over-spend. Know your limits.
• Avoid slips and falls by being aware of "black ice," an almost invisible layer of ice on blacktop surfaces. Assume it is present on any frigid day!
• Wear appropriate footwear with good traction and walk slowly and carefully. Especially when walking your pets.
• Avoid shoveling snow and ice if you have heart or lung disease and are not physically conditioned to perform this strenuous activity. Consult your physician if you have any questions.

"As you look forward to the start of a new year, make your health a top priority," he adds, "and let us help." For a complete list of upcoming health events, classes and screenings, go to rwjhamilton.org/education.

More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.