Physicians share tips on how to stay safe this holiday season

Photo: Brantford General Hospital Emergency Department nurses and staff with Dr. Somaiah Ahmed (fifth from left) and Dr. Tom Szakacs (in the back row).

As families prepare to gather for the holidays and the new year ahead, health experts at Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) are reminding residents that prevention is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones this festive season.

While taking steps to stay healthy is the priority, BCHS also wants the community to know that care is close at hand – whether through the emergency department or other local health services should illness or injury occur.

“Winter brings unique challenges,” Dr. Tom Szakacs, infectious disease lead at BCHS, explained. “Colder weather means we spend more time indoors, often in close contact with others and shared surfaces. At the same time, seasonal infections like flu, RSV, colds, and COVID tend to rise. That combination makes prevention especially important during the holidays.”

Learn more in the latest InsideBCHS: Physicians share tips on how to stay safe this holiday season