New Year’s Eve Safety Tips For Hosting or Going Out
New Year’s Eve is a festive time to gather with friends and family. Whether hosting a party or attending a celebration elsewhere, taking these precautions can help ensure a safe experience.
Hosting:
Check smoke alarms and replace batteries, if needed
Be sure your walkway is well–lit and free of any potential risks, such as loose cement or ice
Check for unsecured area carpets, holiday electrical wiring, and children’s or pet toys that pose potential tripping hazards
Secure your pets in a comfortable space and play soothing music to relax them and drown out the party noise
Use different color cups to identify alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks easily
Serve plenty of food and snacks to counter any alcohol effects
Avoid salty snacks, which will make guests want to drink more
Offer option of non–acholic beverages, including water
Keep alcohol out of reach of minors
Turn champagne bottle away from guests before safely popping the cork
Stop serving alcohol several hours before the party ends
Offer overnight lodging for guests, if necessary
Ask for the car keys if a guest is intoxicated and arrange for transportation home
Avoid using fireworks to prevent a holiday mishap for which you could be liable
Driving:
Plan your travel options in advance
Police will be out in full force — don’t drink and drive
Consider using a cab, ridesharing service, or public transportation as an alternative
Designate a driver who does not drink
Arrange to stay overnight at a hotel to avoid driving home at night
More impaired drivers will be on the road, observe the speed limit and drive defensively, allowing for more space between you and other vehicles
Be aware of potentially hazardous weather and plan accordingly
Be sure your cellphone is fully charged in case of an emergency
Park your vehicle in a safe, well–lit area — New Year’s Eve is a peak time for auto theft
Attending:
Go with a group of friends for safety if you’re going to a public place
Again, designate a driver who does not drink
Keep your drink with you at all times if you’re at a restaurant or club
If you leave your drink unattended, order a new one to eliminate the chance of someone slipping something into it
Sources:
“New Years New Safety Tips,” https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/new-years-eve-safety-tips
“New Year’s Eve Fun,” https://procarseatsafety.com/newyearsevesafety.html
LAFD Spokesperson, “LAFD New Year’s Eve Safety Tips,” https://www.lafd.org/news/lafd-new-year’s-eve-safety-tips, (Thursday, December 28, 2017)
“11 Tips For a Safe New Year’s Eve,” https://nextstepcs.org/11-tips-for-a-safe-new-years-eve, (11 Dec)
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only, should not be construed as professional advice and is not intended to replace official sources. Other resources linked from these pages are maintained by independent providers; therefore, NJM cannot guarantee their accuracy.
