December is here! We are now undoubtedly, inarguably in the thick of the winter holiday season. Whichever way you choose to celebrate, this time of year is all about enjoying time with your loved ones. Festivities will certainly include treats, meals, decorations and welcoming people to your home. However, this marathon month of parties and events must be entered into with precautions and safety in mind. As a medical practice, it is your job to be an authority and to communicate to your audience the best practices for staying healthy. The December holiday season is a time when that is needed most.
Incorporating holiday safety tips into your marketing communications will assist your audience in making the right decisions and establish your practice as a trusted figure. No matter your area of specialization, there is always some issue on which you can reach your patients. Let’s take a look at some examples:
Dentists are the authorities when it comes to healthy and responsible holiday indulging:
- Make sure you have a strong routine already established beforehand and stick with it. Brush morning, night and after every sugary indulgence.
- Balance out the sweets by having on-hand as many healthy options as possible. Have the family fill up on vegetables, grains and proteins before any desserts make their appearance.
- Drink plenty of water. Desserts are not the only sugar bombs of the holidays. Many parties and gatherings will celebrate with fun holiday-themed punches and drinks that are packed with sugar. Feel free to indulge but also make that you are consuming enough water to help rinse your teeth and fill you up.
- Get the whole family in for dentist appointments soon after holidays or early into next year. A professional cleaning and examination will help mitigate any issues that seasonal celebrations may induce.
Chiropractors can dole out plenty of tips when it comes to winter weather safety:
- Shoveling
- Don’t rush! Work slowly to ensure that you are not straining any muscles.
- Take the time to stretch beforehand and loosen up.
- Try pushing the snow, rather than lifting.
- Always pull strength from your legs, not your back.
- Take a break and come back if you need to.
- Act fast: fresh, fluffy snow is lighter and much easier to move.
- Hanging lights
- Be sure to use a ladder that is sturdy, level and in overall good condition.
- If possible, have another person hold and stabilize the ladder from the ground.
- When hanging lights, steer clear of anything that may puncture the wires.
- Do not stand on either of the two highest levels.
Firefighters, of course, have many sage words for fire safety during the holiday season:
- Choose decorations and ornaments that are fireproof or fire-resistant.
- Make sure that your trees lights are specifically meant to be used indoors.
- Replace any lights that have torn or broken cords.
- Be careful not to overload any one outlet.
- Keep lit candles away from the tree, decorations or anything else that can catch fire.
- Never leave the kitchen unattended while cooking or baking.
- Place new batteries in all smoke alarms.
- Make sure that your tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source:
- Fireplaces
- Radiators
- Candles
- Lights
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