CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/FamilyReunion/
Family reunions are a time to introduce and reinforce healthy living.
If you are planning or participating in a family reunion, follow these tips to make sure it's safe and healthy.
Plan healthy meals, snacks, and drinks.
Eating and exchanging recipes is a big part of family reunions. Use
this opportunity to adapt recipes, snacks, and beverages to incorporate
healthier options that are lower in saturated fat, salt, and calories.
Prepare food safely.
Make the most of the fun by making sure your food remains safe. The
following steps are easy, and they'll help protect you and those around
you from harmful foodborne bacteria.
- Cook: Cook meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly.
- Separate: Don't cross-contaminate one food with another.
- Chill: Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
- Clean: Wash produce and hands.
- Report: Report suspected foodborne illnesses to your local public health department.
Know and share your family health history.
Family health history is one of the most important things that may
increase your chance for health problems like heart disease, stroke,
diabetes, and cancer. Use the family reunion as a time to talk about
family health. Let members know about health issues that are common in
the family. Add steps that can be taken to help prevent or control
health issues into activities at the family reunion.
Travel safely, and be prepared.
Be
prepared no matter how far you are traveling. Avoid drinking and
driving, and make sure adults and children are buckled up in motor
vehicles. If you're taking a cruise, check ship inspection scores. Make
sure you've had all appropriate vaccinations for your destination.
Be safe.
Have lots of fun, but take precautions to make sure that family and
friends are safe, especially outdoors and while traveling. This
includes leaving fireworks to the professionals, avoiding heat-related
illness, practicing sun and water safety, wearing appropriate safety
gear, and more.
Be active.
Some
reunion plans may involve walking, hiking, dancing, tennis, bowling, or
other fun activities. All of these activities can contribute to our
daily need for physical activity to stay fit. Adults should get 2½
hours a week and kids should get 1 hour a day of physical activity.
Include activities that raise breathing and heart rates and that
strengthen muscles and bones.
Go green.
Use products that can easily be reused or recycled. Reduce or prevent waste. Recycle items, such as glass, plastic, and paper.
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