Make Halloween festivities fun, safe, and healthy for you, trick-or-treaters and party guests.
Keep your teeth healthy.
Brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss every day, and drink fluoridated tap water to prevent tooth decay. Bacteria (germs) that naturally live in our mouths use sugar in food to make acids. Those acids can destroy the outside layer of the teeth and cause cavities that can lead to other oral problems. Cut down on sugary treats this Halloween.
Develop, maintain, and keep good sleep habits.
Sufficient sleep is not a luxury—it is a necessity—and should be thought of as a “vital sign” of good health. Sufficient sleep is being recognized as an important aspect to help prevent some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart conditions, obesity, and depression.
Take steps to prevent the flu.
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each season once vaccine is available in your community. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. While the flu vaccine provides protection that lasts throughout the flu season, it does not protect against or cure the common cold.
Get smart about antibiotics.
Using antibiotics when they are not needed causes some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic, and therefore stronger and harder to kill. See your doctor or nurse to find out if your illness is bacterial or viral.
Wash your hands.
It’s best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If that’s not possible, use alcohol-based hand rubs.
Be prepared for cold weather.
Know how to prevent health problems and what to do if a cold-weather emergency arises.
Protect your child or yourself during RSV season.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious viral disease that can lead to serious health problems, especially for young children and older adults. To help prevent the spread of RSV, people who have cold-like symptoms should cover their mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing, wash their hands often with soap and water for 15–20 seconds, avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others, and refrain from kissing others.
Everyone have a safe Halloween!