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Five
Minutes or Less for Health
Test smoke alarms.
Every month, check your smoke alarms to ensure they work properly.
Check or replace the battery to your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide
detector when you change the time on your clocks each spring and
fall. If the alarm or detector sounds, leave your home immediately,
and call 911.
Do a skin and body check.
Check your skin and body regularly for lumps, rashes, sores,
discolorations, limitations, and other changes. Do checks
during and after bathing. Take note of other changes such
as those related to urine or bowel habits, thirst, hunger,
fatigue, discharge, vision, and weight. If you find or experience
anything suspicious, see your health care provider.
Make an appointment.
Whether you need a yearly check-up, vaccination, vision check,
dental exam, blood pressure check, mammogram, Pap test, prostate
check, STD test, blood test, or other exam or screening, don’t
put it off any longer. Make the appointment now.
Know your numbers.
Keep track of your numbers for blood pressure, blood sugar,
cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and more. These numbers
can provide a glimpse of your health status and risk for certain
diseases and conditions, including heart disease, diabetes,
obesity, and more. Be sure to ask your health care provider
what tests you need and how often. If your numbers are too high
or too low, he/she can make recommendations to help you get
them to a healthier range.
Make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations.
Keep track of your and your family's vaccinations, and make
sure they stay up-to-date. Children, young adults, and older
adults all need vaccinations. Vaccinations help protect people
from diseases and save lives.
Eat healthy.
Just take an extra minute to make better food choices. Eat
more fruits and vegetables as a meal, less saturated fat,
and healthy grab-and-go snacks. There are many quick and
easy ways to add healthier choices to your day.
Wash children’s hands and toys regularly.
Hands and toys can become contaminated from household dust
or exterior soil, both of which are sources of harmful lead.
Learn the signs for developmental problems.
Check to see if your children can do the things associated
with their age. From birth to 5 years, your children should
reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, and act.
A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental
problem.
Know the signs and symptoms for heart attack and stroke.
If you or someone you know is having a heart attack or stroke,
call 911 immediately. With timely treatment, a person's chance
of surviving a heart attack is increased, and the risk of
death and disability from stroke can be lowered.
Encourage health through play.
Encourage kids to adopt safe and healthy habits with these
fun pages and activity book.
Take a break.
If you think you’re getting sick, feel yourself losing
control, or are dealing with stress, take a break. Just taking
a few minutes can give you the opportunity to clear your head
so you can make better decisions about your and your family’s
health and safety.
Take care of your teeth and gums.
Drink fluoridated water and use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride's
protection against tooth decay works at all ages. Brush and
floss your teeth thoroughly to reduce dental plaque and help
prevent gingivitis (a form of gum disease).
Keep foods safe.
Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Bacteria can grow quickly
at room temperature, so refrigerate leftover foods if they
are not going to be eaten within 4 hours. Wash hands, utensils,
and cutting boards after they have been in contact with raw
meat or poultry and before they touch another food. Wash
produce.
Cook meat, poultry, and eggs thoroughly. Report suspected
food borne illnesses to your local health department.
Ask questions.
Don’t risk injury or other problems because you are not
clear on what to do. If instructions are confusing, get help.
Talk to your health care provider. Call or visit the website
of the pharmacy, clinic, equipment manufacturer, or business
for information. Make sure you use credible sources and websites
and ask your health care provider if the information you found
applies to you. Before seeing your health care provider, write
down all of your questions and bring the list with you to your
appointment. Write down the answers during your discussion.
Make sure all of your questions are answered before you leave
and you know exactly what the next steps are. With more knowledge,
you can make better decisions about your health.
Take a health and safety quiz.
Quizzes and other tools are available to help you find out
if you and your family are at higher risk for certain diseases
or conditions. Discuss concerns with your health care provider
and family.
Listen to a health podcast.
Podcasts on a variety of health and safety topics are available
online. Most are one to five minutes long, and some are longer.
Disinfect surfaces to keep germs away.
Cleaning removes germs from surfaces, and disinfecting destroys
germs from surfaces. Disinfecting after cleaning gives an
extra level of protection from germs. Areas with the largest
amounts of germs and frequently used areas- such as the kitchen
and bathroom- should be disinfected with a bleach solution
or another disinfectant as often as possible to avoid the
spread of germs.
If you have diabetes, check for sores and vision changes,
also check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots,
and swelling.
Call your doctor immediately
if you have sores that will not heal. Also, tell your doctor
if you notice any changes in your eyesight.
Get a radon test for you home.
Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you
can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home
can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the second
leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000
lives annually. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S.
is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Testing is inexpensive
and easy.
Go green.
Lower greenhouse gases in the environment, reuse products,
and recycle items that can no longer be used.
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Five
Minutes to Health
