By Marcos Otero, Gulf Coast Immediate Care Center, Fort Walton Beach
Merry Christmas. Unbelievable how quickly this year has flown by. This month will be full of joy and happiness. I want all of us to have a safe and happy memories. Christmas, New Years and Three Kings day festivities are rapidly approaching. The holidays are actually on top of the list for problems. Hospital admissions rise up between December 19 and the New Year. There are several things that can ruin your holidays.
Accidents at home – almost 100,000 people get hurt during this time from cuts opening presents, to electrocuting themselves on faulty Christmas lights, to falls putting up decorations.
House fires – Itnot Christmas without lights or festive candles but both are fire hazards. Candles alone sparked multiple house fires. Prevent it by always using approved and functional lights. Never leaves candles or lights on unattended.
Asthma attacks– Cold weather, stress, smoke from fire places, perfumes, and scented candles may trigger asthma attacks.
Running out of medications – You would be surprised as to how many people forget to pack or get enough medications for the holidays. Make sure if you are traveling or staying at home that you have enough medications to last for those days that pharmacies may be closed.
Food poisoning– During parties, people cook foods they usually do not cook and they usually do not cook for large numbers of people. Foods left out or not cooked enough or left standing can form toxins. Always put raw meat at the bottom of the fridge so the juices, which may contain food-poisoning bacteria, can’t drip down, contaminating cooked food. Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly before preparing any food and after handling raw meat. Allow adequate time to defrost your turkey – large ones can take a couple of days. Defrost turkeys in the fridge.
Alcohol – Many will partake in alcoholic beverages. Be smart. Stay safe. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. It will ruin you holidays to spend these in jail or worse in a morgue. Before drinking, eat food containing complex carbohydrates, protein and fat. Try to drink water in between, or alongside, alcoholic drinks and if you drink spirits, dilute them with juice rather than fizzy drinks, which increase the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into your blood.
My family and myself want to wish you a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year. May the holidays be full of love, joy, and happiness. Be blessed.
