NAPLES — The Florida Department of Health in Collier (DOH-Collier) encourages healthy holiday habits to help get residents and visitors through the season. Remember, with balance and moderation, everyone can enjoy the season the healthy way. Be covid conscious! COVID-19 remains in our community. Ways to celebrate the upcoming holidays include:

• Have a small dinner with only the people who live in your household. Remember: students visiting from college and relatives from out of state or city, county, etc… are considered outside of your household.
• Avoid crowded indoor events.
• Watch sports events, parades, and movies from home.

Receiving your COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus. It is safe, effective, and proven to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death. The COVID-19 vaccine and boosters are available on a walk-in basis at DOH-Collier, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., or by visiting vaccines.gov. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are available by appointment by calling 239-252-6220. Note: holiday day hours may affect days and times of vaccine administration.

Fires, falls, and food safety should be a priority year-round, but even more so during the busy holiday season. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA FEMA), the top three days of the year for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day; and more than 1/3 of home decoration fires are caused by a candle. When decorating for the holiday season it is important to make safety a priority.

Candle Safety — Help avoid fires in your house by keeping all candles away from children, pets, trees, and curtains. Candles should be at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.

Fire Safety — The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends testing your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home once a month and replace the batteries twice a year.

Tree Safety — If you have a real tree in your house this season, keep it watered. A tree that is not well watered is very dangerous and can turn into a fire hazard. It is best to water the tree every day and dispose of the tree after the holidays or when it is dry.

Decoration Safety — Use step stools or ladders while putting up decorations. Never stand on furniture as  this can result in an injury.

Shoe Safety — When putting up holiday lights and other decorations make sure to wear protective and sturdy shoes inside or outside of the house. No flip flops!

Oven Safety — Always use an oven mitt while taking food out or putting food into the oven.

Kitchen Safety — While in the kitchen make sure to remove any scarves, long necklaces, or flowy clothing. These items can be a hazard while cooking and baking.

Food Safety — Before and after handling raw meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Cook all foods to the proper temperature by using a food thermometer. If you do not have one, purchase one! Baking holiday sweets might come with the temptation of eating the dough or batter, but that is not safe. Make sure to refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, chill food within 1 hour.

Travel Safety — Whenever operating or riding in a motor vehicle it is important to buckle up. Take the extra minute to make sure you and your passengers are buckled and ready to go. If you are consuming alcoholic beverages, designate a driver or contact a ride sharing service. Arrive alive; do not drink and drive.

Heater Safety — Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a heat source such as fireplaces, wood stoves, or space heaters. Never use your oven to heat the home.

Brighten your holiday season by making health and safety a priority with these healthy holiday habits.