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Red Cross offers tips to help avoid illness during the holidays
Contact: Daphne Hart, (714) 481-5 375
SANTA ANA, Calif. – With the Swine Flu (H1N1) causing illness and concern across the country, the American Red Cross suggests taking steps to lessen the chances of getting sick over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Tips for Travelers
Before traveling…
- If sick, stay home. It may be disappointing, but acting responsibly can
avoid spreading the flu.
- It’s possible to spread the flu virus one day before showing symptoms. Be extra careful about using good hand hygiene and cough etiquette and very aware of what might be flu symptoms.
- Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible or use hand sanitizer
with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect surfaces such as airplane tray tables,
luggage handles and seat armrests.
- Wash hands or use a hand sanitizer before eating. Remember that you are
touching surfaces that many others are touching as well.
- Bring personal blankets, pillows and earphones to avoid using something
which may have been in contact with the flu virus.
- After washing hands in a public restroom, turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Then use another paper towel to dry hands and open the door when exiting the restroom.
Thanksgiving is all about food, family and friends. Here are some tips to help keep everyone happy and healthy:
- If hosting the holiday dinner and someone in the household becomes ill,
make sure that they can be isolated into a separate area for care, or ask
another family member to host dinner to avoid spreading the flu.
- Wash hands frequently, before preparing food, while cooking and especially
before eating.
- Keep plenty of hand soap in the bathroom, preferably in a pump container.
Skip the pretty hand towels this year and instead use paper towels.
- Provide a way for guests to identify their drinks and don’t drink out of
anyone else’s glass.
- Put serving utensils in every dish, including snacks like nuts, pretzels, etc. This allows people to spoon out their portion instead of reaching in with their hands.
Help people affected by disasters by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call (714) 481-5300 or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Orange County, 601 North Golden Circle, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.oc-redcross.org.
For more updates on the American Red Cross of Orange County, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ocredcross.
