TALKING HEALTH - SURVIVING FESTIVE SEASON

ITraditionally this time of year is a time of festivities and holidays. It may be Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or just a celebration of the end of another year. It's about children, families, friends, food ,drink and gifts . We wish each other good health and good cheer. Its a pity we don't do that every day of the year.

This may seem a strange topic for a health special but according to the World Health Organisation "Health" is defined as

"a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

For most people the festive time of year will be a happy and healthy time spent eating a bit too much and feeling loved and loving .

But for others it can be time of loneliness, sadness or stress. A time to be reminded of personal isolation, or of loved ones no longer here. It can be a time when good intentions get fuelled by alcohol and turn into family reunion disasters. It can be a time when ads on tele remind us of our financial situation It can be a time of devastation when our world is shattered by road trauma or bushfires.

For many people surviving the festive season can be an issue -at one extreme it might be trying to reconcile the pressie list or getting the cards out on time but for others it will be a time of major life issues

This evening I want to cover all our bases and talk about how to enter 2008 unscathed ( or at least minimise the risks ) from the festive season.

I have assembled a guest list of experts to cover all aspects of the festive season - from safety and health for yourself your family and pets - to - unusual gift ideas and solving menu dilemmas if you've been elected to organise the celebratory meal.

METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADE – Keith Adamson is the Deputy Chief Fire Officer for MFB - Is your house fire safe ? In the summer months we think about the devastation bush fires can reek but in metro areas we must be vigilant to ensure our homes are not a fire trap. Keith will give us some tips on making sure our homes survive the festive season.

VICTORIA POLICE - As horrible as it may seem there will be people listening to the program this evening who will be involved in road trauma over the festive season. Although the road toll has substantially reduced over recent years road trauma is no accident and it is preventable. Particularly at this time of alcohol and fatigue play a big part. We must be mindful of road safety and this includes preparing young people properly whether they are getting their first bike for Christmas or their drivers licence over the summer break. Its up to us.

METROPOLITAN AMBULANCE SERVICE – The last thing we want or expect during a family celebration is a health crisis - but its important to be prepared than just hope it wont happen. Greg will fill us in on the fabulous work of our Paramedics and how to reduce your chances of needing to call upon one.

FOOD SAFETY AND SUMMER CELEBRATIONS - Rob Knowles is the Chair of Food Safety Australia New Zealand ( FSANZ) . FSANZ takes food safety seriously and puts in place regulations so we can trust what we eat.
This time of year most people will be busily preparing food to serve to friends and family. But do we take enough care so we make our guests sick ! Proper food handling and storage is vital anytime but especially in Summer.
Rob also formerly the Minister for Health in Victoria and during that time he put into place food safety rules for this State.

Click HERE for more info on FSANZ

EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL MEDICINE OVER THE HOLIDAYS - George Braitberg is the Director of Emergency Medicine at Southern Health - this includes some of the State's busiest hospitals. And during the festive season they get busier. Christmas Day can be a medical emergency waiting to happen with burns from barbecues, falls off new bikes or heart attacks after over doing the Christmas cheer. How can we avoid needing to visit an emergency department over the festive season. And what happens if we do ?

ST MARY'S HOUSE OF WELCOME - Sister Rosanne who heads up the SMHOW will be joining me to talk about how the homeless deal with the Holiday Season. St Mary's was established over 50 years ago and has been quietly caring for the needs of Melbourne's vulnerable and disadvantaged since then. Its time to shout about the fabulous work they do !

Click HERE for more info on SMHOW

ANGLICARE - is one of Victoria's largest providers of care and support to children, young people and families in crisis. Christmas is a very busy time for them. Mariela Diaz, from their fostercare service will be joining me.

Click HERE for more info on ANGLICARE

NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE

CHILD SAFETY COMMISSIONER- Bernie Geary is Victoria's Child Safety Commissioner .His job is to provide a strong and independent voice for children, to promote their safety and wellbeing and to provide advice to the Minister for Children. His department's website has lots of good information and tips on child safety. This Christmas they have produced a special page with links to all sorts of good information

LORT SMITH ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Lort Smith Animal Hospital is one of Melbourne's true treasures and I am proud to be one of their ambassador's. They provide veterinary care to so many animals who might otherwise have had no chance of survival. They take in lost and stray animals and try to find them homes. DR SASHA HERBERT is a vet with Lort Smith Animal hospital and she'll be talking about things to think about before considering giving pets as gifts, because too many are abandoned. As well as this she's got some important tips for looking after your pets over the holiday ands summer months.