With the holiday season upon us, shoppers are always looking for a unique present, and Tri-County Health Department has some creative suggestions for everyone’s gift list.
Toys are the most popular gifts for kids, so choose those that keep a child’s mind and body active. Some toys can be dangerous so parents must read warning labels for age recommendations and avoid any items that can choke a young child. Other gifts for kids include warm winter clothing, reflective sneakers, ID bracelets engraved with important numbers and colorful battery-operated toothbrushes.
“Most of the gift items we suggest are not very expensive, but they can have great benefits for the health and safety of your family,” states Dr. Richard Vogt, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department. “Some of these items might also be given as stocking stuffers or as part of a gift basket.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate gifts of warm winter gear, a sleeping bag, camping equipment, an all-in-one survival tool, GPS tracking device, sporting goods or a bicycle.
“Always give a safety helmet with the gift of a bicycle. Helmets are proven to reduce the risk of traumatic head injuries by 85%. Also consider a headlight, bell, blinking safety lights and reflective clothing,” Vogt adds. “Appropriate helmets, wrist guards and kneepads should always accompany all other active sports equipment.”
Drivers will appreciate a winter car safety kit consisting of warm gloves, cellphone, ice scraper, collapsible shovel, kitty litter for tire traction, jumper cables, first aid kit, bottled water and a spare blanket.
Seniors and aging baby boomers might like warm clothing, sturdy bathtub handrails, shower massages, comforters, heated booties, or motion-activated lights and timers. Large print items include books, magazines, calendars, crossword puzzles, address books and playing cards. “Talking” gadgets that compensate for vision impairment include a watch, thermometer, clock, calculator, bathroom scale and books on tape.
The do-it-yourself person would enjoy a programmable thermostat, insulating replacement windows, an earth-friendly garden composter, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, energy-efficient appliances, household fire extinguisher, rechargeable batteries, emergency generator or a kit containing work gloves, earplugs and safety glasses.
The gourmet cook might like healthy cookbooks, a BBQ fork with temperature gauge or fat-free cookware. Food baskets make great gifts, but they don’t have to be full of fattening cookies or candy. More nutritious items include meats, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, canned goods and wholesome home-baked goodies.
Santa could stand to lose a few pounds, so physical fitness gift ideas include sporting goods, exercise equipment, step counters, health club memberships and exercise videos.
Recent public health books and movies include Super Size Me, The Food Revolution, The Great Influenza, The China Study and the PBS series Rx for Survival – A Global Health Challenge. Magazine subscription topics include prevention and healthy living, active seniors, healthy cooking, organic lifestyles, environmental sciences and nature.
Donations of non-perishable food are always welcome at food banks, and go a long way to help needy families in our own area. You also might consider a donation to a favorite charity—one that fights a particular disease, supports the earth, provides disaster relief, or offers public health services like immunizations and basic nutrition to underdeveloped countries.
And don’t forget the family pet, with an ID tag, a reflective collar, microchip, healthy chew toys, or a donation to a shelter or clinic.
A complete section of gift ideas as well as warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission are available on the Tri-County Health Department website at www.tchd.org.