Home The Science of Better Living Getting in the Holiday Spirit: Festive Ways to Be Safer

November 2021

· 2 min read

Getting in the Holiday Spirit: Festive Ways to Be Safer

As the holiday season approaches, you’re probably wondering what’s safe and what to avoid when planning your gatherings. Here are six safety tips.

Family sharing gifts during Christmas holiday season - 6 Tips for Safer Holiday Season Gatherings | NSF

To help you move forward from the drive-by greetings and virtual celebrations of last year, we turned to our experts and checked in with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for their suggestions on the best ways to spread holiday cheer without spreading germs. Here are six tips for making your safety list and checking it twice this holiday season:

1. Fireside Chats

It’s safer for people from different households to get together outdoors rather than indoors. However, if you are planning an indoor celebration, open windows and consider using a fan to blow air out the window to increase ventilation if possible.

2. Love Actually Means Mask Up or Vax Up

It’s a touchy subject, but if you want to avoid the coronavirus, it’s okay for you to inquire about whether hosts and their guests are vaccinated. And it’s all right for you to insist on a vaccinated-only bash.

3. Stay Home

If you have flu or COVID-19 symptoms, it’s back to virtual meetings and drive-by greetings. Staying home can help you protect yourself and others. If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, it’s back to virtual meetings and drive-by greetings.

4. Set Great Expectations

It may feel uncomfortable, but you should discuss expectations and behavior with guests and hosts before the event. That way, everyone understands the ground rules and safety measures.

5. Be Super Safety Conscious

Attending holiday gatherings increases your risk of contracting and spreading the flu virus and COVID-19. The safest ways to celebrate are to do so virtually or outside, or to make sure everyone in attendance is vaccinated.

6. Turkey Trots and Safe Travels

The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. And everyone, even those who are vaccinated, should wear a mask when indoors. In areas with high numbers of people, even if outdoors, you should also wear your mask.

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Sources:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/index.html