Dec 2021 Newsletter - New Year’s Eve Safety
New Year’s Eve Safety
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Can you believe that New Year’s Eve is already right around the corner? Before we get ready to welcome 2022, let’s make sure we take all of the safety precautions we can to ensure that we all have a safe and happy new year. Did you know that New Year’s Eve is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving in the United States? If you are celebrating New Year’s Eve away from your home or will be traveling at all, here are some tips, brought to you by the American Safety Council, to keep you and your loved ones safe:
- Plan your travel options ahead of time, arranging for a designated driver, a hotel stay, shuttle/limo service, public transportation and extra “Plan B” options before your night out.
- Consider local Sober Ride programs and have their information handy for yourself or friends. http://duijusticelink.aaa.com/for-the-public/aaas-role/public-education/sober-ride
- SoberRides.org provides a desktop and mobile site with options for how to get home safely. http://www.soberrides.org
New Year’s Day is also a dangerous day for pedestrians. If you are walking, make sure to stay on pedestrian paths and observe traffic laws; only cross at crosswalks and try to remain in well-lit areas. If you are driving, take extra care to consider those on foot.
Hosting a party? Consider these tips to keep your guests safe:
- Make sure smoke alarms are working and have fresh batteries.
- Contact a local cab company to provide rides for your guests or have a trusted designated driver ready to take guests home if necessary.
- Offer non-alcoholic drink options and have plenty of water available.
- Stop serving alcohol several hours before the party ends (and stick to it!).
- Provide food and snacks so guests aren’t drinking on an empty stomach. Avoid salty snacks, which can actually encourage people to drink more.
- Provide guests a place to stay overnight should they need to. Even if accommodations are less than ideal (like a blanket on the floor), they will be safe!
- Own guns? Make sure they are safely stored away. In some cultures, it was previously a tradition to participate in celebratory gunfire at midnight, shooting handguns into the air. Not only is this illegal, but it can be deadly; falling bullets can be fatal.
- Have pets? Make sure everyone knows not to feed your pets food or alcohol. Keep your pets in a familiar, cozy area, such as a bedroom, with food, water and toys and ensure their ID tags/microchips are up to date. Playing soothing music can help with loud sounds such as fireworks.
Lastly, keep in mind that the safest way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. Fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year. Sparklers are also very dangerous being that they burn at 1200 degrees F. Mixing alcohol and fireworks/sparklers is never a good idea, a safe alternative would be noise makers, glow sticks, silly string, streamers, and confetti. We hope these safety tips will help you and your loved ones have a happy and safe new year!
