When you think about holiday safety for News Year’s Eve, the first thing that comes to mind is drinking and driving. The holidays are a time for socializing and drinking and partying are often times more accepted and even expected. But, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.), each year more than 1,000 people in the U.S. die between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day in drunk driving crashes. In 2006 more than 1.46 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence and M.A.D.D. estimates that three out of 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. That means that designated drivers are even more important this time of year, since there are more impaired drivers on the road. Driving defensively becomes even more imperative.
If no one in your group is willing to be the designated driver, then plan ahead. Public transportation is an option and some bars and even local governments set up alternative transportation for revelers at New Year’s. Check around -- see what options are available for getting everyone home safely. For New Year’s Eve safety, if you find that you have had more to drink than you planned, call a non-drinking friend or a cab. Remember, the cost of that cab ride is far cheaper than the financial repercussions of a drunk driving arrest or an alcohol-related accident. Also, some local cab companies offer free rides and discounts as a community service on New Year’s Eve.
If you are hosting a party you are not off the hook when it comes to drinking and driving. It is your responsibility to help make sure that your guests are fit to drive when they leave your home. Don’t hesitate to stop serving alcohol to someone who is going to be driving and take away their keys if they become intoxicated and insist on driving. To promote holiday safety, make sure that you also serve non-alcoholic beverages and that you offer plenty of food to help people metabolize the alcohol. Remember that beer and wine can be just as intoxicating as hard liquor. One ounce of hard liquor equals 12 ounces of beer and five ounces of wine.
It has become increasingly popular to throw “family” New Year’s Eve parties – often including children and family pets. If you participate, make sure your house is child and pet ready. Block off stairs, closets and other areas that might be dangerous. Keep all alcoholic beverages in one place and make sure that an adult is monitoring them. Some experts even suggest that alcoholic and non-alcoholic punches be different colors, so that they are easily identified.
Decorations, noise-makers and party favors can be dangerous for pets and children. Make sure that they cannot get into items that they might choke on or swallow. Candles are also a bad mix with little ones and animals, and should always be monitored by an adult. Always make sure that decorations are not left near candles, fireplaces or any other open flames.
Some people celebrate the New Year with fireworks. These are illegal in most areas and are just as dangerous during the winter as they are on the Fourth of July. Just because it is cold and there may be snow on the ground does not mean that fireworks are not a fire hazard. They are dangerous for little children and many dogs are frightened by the noise and flames. If you still decide to use fireworks for your celebration, make sure that you have water or a fire extinguisher on hand and that you and everyone else stay a safe distance from the fireworks when they explode.
In addition to fireworks, some New Year’s Eve celebrators shoot off a firearm at the stroke of midnight. Again, this is illegal in most areas and can be very dangerous especially when mixed with drinking. Firearms must never be left in the open around young children, and as with fireworks, the noise can cause pets to become distressed and nervous. There are plenty of safe ways to make noise while ringing in the New Year, including noisemakers, music and the cheer of the crowd.
New Year’s Eve celebrations are a fun way to ring out the old and ring in the new. By planning ahead and using some common sense holiday safety measures it can be a great start to the New Year.
From the staff of Home Security Source, we wish you and your family a safe, healthy and happy New Year.
*Content expressed in Home Security Source does not represent the thoughts and opinions of ADT Security Services, Inc. unless explicitly indicated.