Winter Safety: Tips to Keep Safe This Season

With winter coming underway, temperatures occasionally drop down to mid twenties from time to time, don't forget to prepare your home, family and your pets. If you know of any older adults, don't forget to check on them from time to time when temperatures drop drastically. When you are outdoors for long periods of time, make sure you wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family safe throughout the season. (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With the winter season upon us, temperatures at time can get low enough for people needing to turn the heat on. Please be cautious when turning on the heat to warm up the residence, and please note that although carbon monoxide detectors can save lives, less than 1/3 of American homes have one installed. To not to get carbon monoxide poisoning, remember simple tips like these:

• Replace batteries for carbon monoxide detectors during spring and fall.
• Do not heat your home with gas range or oven.
• Never run a car or truck inside an attached garage (National Safety Council: Winter Safety Tips)

For more tips on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, check it out on the CDC website.

Take These Steps for Your Home

Winter is here, despite the fact that we are in the south region of Texas without ice and storms, it is still

important to stay prepared and check in with the National Weather Service for winter related alerts and other weather events.

• Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
• Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
• Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
• Check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

How Will You and Your Family Keep Yourselves Safe This Month?

National Immunization Awareness Month

What does August remind you of? For me is back to school month, as we all wind down from the summer vacation, traveling with family and friends before heading back to school. Before getting ready for school, it is also important to be vaccinated before returning to school. National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. During this month, use this as an opportunity to get yourself and your family vaccinated before the fall.  

Make Sure Vaccine Records Up to Date

It is important to keep your vaccine records up to date, so that when you do need to request it, you would not need to spend more time getting your missed or updated vaccines. If you need proof of immunization, the best place to start is by contacting the clinic, doctor, or healthcare provider administered the vaccination. If your provider has the record on file, this will be the fastest way of obtaining your records. (Texas Department of State Health and Human Services)

If you need proof of immunization for your child, contact the last school that was attended. Schools are required to keep records for a minimum number of years. 

Adult Need Vaccines Too!

Vaccination is important for everyone because it protects the person receiving the vaccine and helps prevent the spread of disease, especially to those who are most vulnerable to serious complications (such as infants and young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems). All adults, including pregnant women, should get the influenza (flu) vaccine each year to protect against seasonal flu. (National Immunization Awareness Month)

At times, there may be other vaccines that are needed for adults, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HPV) depending on their age, occupation, travel, medical conditions, vaccinations they have already received, or other consideration. Not sure what vaccines you need? Check out this link with the quiz: CDC: What Vaccines Do You and Your Family Need?

There are many other resources on immunization, check out some of these resources to help get you and your family started.

• Recognizing National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) (CDC)
• National Immunization Awareness Month (National Public Health Information Coalition)
• National Immunization Awareness Month (Vaccines.gov)

How are You Encouraging Your Family and Friends Get Vaccinated?