As Christmas and New Year festivities approach, the Department of Health (DOH) has issued a series of crucial reminders to help Filipino families prevent holiday-related injuries and illnesses. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa is calling on the public to prioritize healthy habits during the season of celebrations.
Moderation and Movement: Keys to a Healthy Celebration
Under its campaign "Gawing Ligtas Christmas ang Holiday ng Pamilya" (Make Your Family's Holiday Christmas Safe), the DOH is advising the public to be mindful of their consumption. The department specifically recommends limiting the so-called "4Ms" during parties and gatherings: "matamis" (sweets), "maalat" (salty foods), "mataba" (fatty foods), and "mamantika" (oily foods).
To counter indulgent eating, health officials advocate for 30 to 60 minutes of daily physical activity. They also strongly advise against smoking and vaping to maintain good respiratory health throughout the holidays.
Safe Travel and a Firecracker-Free Festivity
With many families traveling for reunions, the DOH's "BiyaHealthy" initiative emphasizes road safety. Motorists are urged to always wear DTI-approved helmets on motorcycles and to fasten seat belts inside vehicles.
Simultaneously, the agency is renewing its "Iwas Paputok" campaign. The DOH warns that firecrackers can cause severe burns, eye injuries, and other trauma, especially in children. For community celebrations, officials recommend attending organized public fireworks displays instead of using personal firecrackers.
A Call for a Meaningful and Safe Holiday Season
DOH 7 Director Joshua Brillantes stressed the importance of these reminders to ensure a joyful and accident-free holiday. "Let us make this Christmas a celebration of health, hope, and protection," said Brillantes. "Let us ensure that every child laughs with joy, every parent celebrates with peace of mind, and every community welcomes the new year with renewed strength."
The department notes that emergency rooms traditionally see a spike in patients during the Christmas and New Year period due to incidents like firecracker injuries and vehicular accidents. To address this, public health facilities across the nation will remain operational to provide both emergency and routine medical services throughout the holiday season.
