The Yuletide season is associated with lively energy as we gear up for activities such as partying, shopping, gift-giving, decorating, vacationing, traveling, eating, drinking and a lot more. However, with this festive mood, we tend to take for granted the impact of these activities on our health, environment, security and safety.

The holiday season may be conducive to unhealthy indulgences such as overeating and drinking. It is also a time when burglars might take advantage of people who leave their homes for their vacation trips. Environmentally, it is also the season which accounts for a large amount of household trash generated. In line with our company’s green initiatives and security and safety awareness program, here are some tips that we can do to aid us in having not just a white but also a healthy, secure and green Christmas.

• On food preparation, make sure that your kitchen is always clean. Wash hands and surfaces that come into contact with food.
  Bacteria can spread all over the kitchen and get onto chopping boards, knives, counters, and even the cleaning paraphernalia themselves.
  
  
• Bacteria are also present in uncooked food. Cook meat fully and wash raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly.
  
  
• Always separate the raw food from cooked food and it is best to use separate utensils when preparing them.
  
  
• Cook food properly with the correct amount of heat and duration to ensure that harmful bacteria which cause food borne disease are eliminated.
  
  
• Refrigerate promptly. Refrigerating food quickly keeps most harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying.
  Refrigerators should be set at 40 F and the freezer at 0 F, and the accuracy of the settings should be checked occasionally with a thermometer.
  
  
• In eating, make sure you eat portions that are just right and satisfying. This will lessen food waste and unwanted calories.
  
  
• Make time for exercise. The holidays are conducive to relaxing and food binging. Walking and running will help burn those excess calories.

• In giving gifts, consider non-material gifts. Tickets to a basketball game, boxing match, movie, play, or concert are a real treat.
  
  
• Online family, friends, and business associates can be greeted by e-cards.
  
  
• Buy recycled-content cards and envelopes. You can use last year’s holiday cards to make your gift tags too.
  
  
• While shopping, use a cotton shopping bag instead of plastic. Some malls already offer eco-friendly shopping bags for a few pesos.
  
  
• For your Christmas lights, try to minimize the time that they are switched on.
  
  
• You can also try switching to LED lights or choosing lights that use solar power or rechargeable batteries, or installing an energy-saving bulb to offset the energy usage.

• Before shopping, carry only small amounts of cash and only the credit cards you need. When you need to withdraw from the ATM, avoid doing it at night, especially if you are alone. Be alert and cautious when using ATM machines and avoid using ATMs in secluded locations.
  
  
• While shopping, carry your bag or purse close to your body and always keep it zipped. Make it a practice to carry wallets in your front pockets.
  Do not leave your bags unattended when shopping or paying for an item.
  
  
• When leaving home and traveling for vacation, pre-plan your trip, including scheduled rest stops and quiet activities that small children can do in the vehicle.
  You may leave your itinerary to a trusted neighbor so that someone knows where you are. Better yet, invite a relative to do the house sitting.
  
  
• Shut and lock all doors, even if you're only going out for a short time. Close and lock all windows - burglars don't like to smash glass.
  
  
• Make sure that your vehicle is in good condition to make that long trip.
  
  
• When installing Christmas lights, make sure that the lights are of the standard quality to ensure that the product will function efficiently and safely.
  Make sure that the wirings are properly laid and that it is not a safety hazard for children.

In truth, there are a hundred more tips that can be added to this list and can be found in various open sources. The keywords that we should remember are:
HEALTHY, CLEAN, GREEN, PROTECTED and SAFE.

Having an active mindset to accomplish all these will truly benefit everyone and the world we live in.

And last but not the least, let us always remember the reason for the season - the birth and coming into the world of our Savior.