Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Wear a Helmet

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. One way to prevent a TBI is for you and your children to put on a helmet when:

• riding a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, scooter, or all-terrain vehicle
• playing a contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing
• using in-line skates or riding a skateboard
• batting and running bases in baseball or softball
• riding a horse
• skiing or snowboarding

Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Brush Up on Kids’ Oral Health

A healthy smile is a sign of a happy child, and creating healthy smiles begins at infancy. Start cleaning teeth early. Take a few minutes to ensure your kids have healthy smiles.

• Lift the lip. Check your child's teeth regularly for chalky areas along the gum line. This may be an early sign of tooth decay.
• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Supervise brushing. Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and to rinse well.
• Talk to your child’s doctor or dentist about any questions or problems you may have.

Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Be a Healthy Valentine

This Valentine’s Day, show your love the safe and healthy way.

• Consider your loved ones’ allergies or health conditions when making plans.
• Choose a restaurant that is smoke-free.
• Include heart-healthy foods and physical activity in your plans.

      * Limit alcohol.

• Put on proper safety gear for outdoor activities.

Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Don’t Drink and Drive

Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 48 minutes and the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $51 billion. Driving drunk is never OK. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
Take a few minutes to make sure you and others avoid injury and death from impaired driving.

• Designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins. Remind others to do the same.
• Don’t drink and drive. Get a ride home or call a taxi.
• Take the keys. Don’t let someone else drink and drive.
• If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver; offer alcohol-free beverages; and make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Have a Healthy Holiday

Take a few minutes to give the gift of health and safety to yourself and others this holiday season.

• Wash hands often for 20 seconds.
• Bundle up for warmth.
• The best way to protect against influenza is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. Make an appointment to get a flu shot if you haven’t gotten one already.
• Eat a light, healthy snack before you go to parties to help curb your hunger and decrease your visits to the buffet table.
• Watch your children. Develop and enforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors for all electronic media.
• Fasten seat belts. Always use seatbelts. No matter how short the trip.
• Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let others drink and drive.

Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Stay Warm

Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants, older adults, and the chronically ill. Take a few minutes to prepare yourself and others for cold weather.

• Check the weather report to find out what to expect so you can prepare.
• Stay dry and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing.
• Check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards.
• Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.
• Prepare your car for winter weather.

Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Wash Hands

Wash hands often to lower the risk of spreading germs and getting sick. Take 20 seconds to help protect yourself and others.

• Wash hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds.
• If soap and clean running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands.
• Wash hands:
  • before and after preparing or eating food
  • after using the bathroom
  • after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
  • before and after tending to someone who is sick
  • after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • after handling an animal or animal waste
  • after handling garbage
  • before and after treating a cut or wound
  • more frequently when you or others around you are sick