Health Tips for a Safe and Healthy Holiday

The holidays are a great opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, to celebrate life, to be grateful, and to reflect on what’s important. They are also a time to appreciate – and safeguard – the gift of health.

Tip #5: Cold Weather Safety and Home Heating

Outdoor activities during cold weather can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take steps to be prepared while getting the exercise you need.

Start by wearing warm clothing, a wind-resistant coat or jacket, mittens, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots. To protect from hypothermia, don’t forget to dress in layers.

Additional safety precautions when participating in outdoor recreation include: always carry a cell phone, work slowly when doing outside chores, sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches, and take along a buddy and an emergency kit.

Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Install a battery-operated or battery backup CO detector where it will awaken your family at night if the alarm is triggered. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Our 2025 Annual Report is now available! Learn more about the impact Meridian has had on our communities over the past year and how together we are building a healthier tomorrow.

Click here to read this year’s report: https://www.meridianhs.org/about/annual-reports/

On Monday and Tuesday we brought nationally recognized speaker Fabian Ramirez to students from several schools in Muncie and Richmond as part of our annual Speaker Series: School Assembly.

With the support of our incredible community partners, we reached over a thousand students with a powerful message of resilience, respect, and rising above negativity. Fabian reminded students that they are not alone and that their voice matters.

Thank you to our sponsors and school partners for helping make this event impactful and unforgettable!
Presented in Muncie by Pridemark Construction
Presented in Richmond by G101-3

Learn more: https://www.meridianhs.org/events/speaker-series/2025-fabian-ramirez/

Health Tips for a Safe and Healthy Holiday

The holidays are a great opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, to celebrate life, to be grateful, and to reflect on what’s important. They are also a time to appreciate – and safeguard – the gift of health.

Tip #4: Handwashing

Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and to keep kids and adults healthy, especially during the winter months. Evidence shows handwashing can help prevent 1 in 5 respiratory illnesses like the cold or flu, so understanding how and when to wash hands is critical for staying healthy.

Follow these five steps every time.

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

If soap and water aren't available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention