5 New Year’s Eve Safety Tips – Ring in the New Year in Style and Safety

2019 is just around the corner, and people all around the metro Atlanta area (and all over Georgia) are getting ready. It’s time to get together for one last bash in 2018 before we all start working on our 2019 New Year’s resolutions. Whatever your plans are to ring in 2019, the most important thing on New Year’s Eve is to have fun and get home safely at the end of the night.

So, how can you ensure that your New Year’s Eve doesn’t end with injury or worse? Here are a few of our favorite safety tips for any reveler on the last night of 2018.

Plan for a Safe Ride Home BEFORE You Start Your Evening

DUI convictions in Georgia have decreased significantly over the past decade, going from nearly 42,000 in 2007 down to just under 23,000 in 2017. Even with decreasing DUI rates, though, New Year’s Eve is still a major night for impaired driving throughout the U.S.

You may not be able to stop others from driving drunk, but you can absolutely ensure that you and your friends and family have a sober driver. The best way to do this, though, is to plan ahead. The last thing you want, at the end of the night, is to find out that there was a misunderstanding about the group’s designated driver.

Whether you are planning on getting a taxi, an Uber or Lyft ride, or someone in your group will be the designated driver — make sure that you have a clear plan before the revelry begins.

Along these lines, if you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration, you can help keep others safe too. As guests arrive, ask them about their designated drivers or if they’re planning on catching a cab or rideshare at the end of the night. Be sure to have non-alcoholic drinks available for people who’ll be driving, and check on designated drivers throughout the night.

Alternate Between Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Of course, when it comes to alcohol, impaired driving is not the only danger. As one of the booziest holidays of the year, alcohol poisoning poses a significant risk to New Year’s Eve revelers.

Fortunately, though, you can mitigate this risk quite a bit just by alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Between glasses of champagne, drink a glass of water or a soda. This will keep you hydrated, and it will help you avoid drinking too quickly. Many people who experience alcohol poisoning lose track of how many drinks they’ve had and become impaired faster than they thought possible. This trick is an old one, but a good one, to slow down and avoid potential injury.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

If you plan on drinking this New Year’s Eve or not, stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t leave beverages unattended, and do keep an eye on your friends. If you see something suspicious, don’t hesitate to tell someone. And, if at any point in the night someone is making you uncomfortable, you should immediately move away from them. If they persist, seek help with friends, someone who works at the venue, or the police.

Whether you are out at a public venue or celebrating at someone’s home, keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t leave purses or wallets out in the open, where they could be taken or where you could accidentally leave them behind. Losing your ID, wallet, or something valuable could put a significant damper on your New Year’s Eve plans.

Practice Safety in Numbers

New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations can get really hectic, and that can be a lot of fun, but it can also lead to injuries. Remember, whether you’re watching the peach drop in Woodruff Park or ringing in the new year with a few thousand friends at The Battery Atlanta, there is safety in numbers. Include a group of friends and/or family in your New Year’s Eve plans, and make a pact to stick together throughout the evening. This way, you can watch out for each other, and you’re all more likely to make it to midnight (and back home) without any unfortunate incidents.

Practice Fireworks Safety

With so many great shows and fun fireworks displays to choose from around Georgia, we highly recommend leaving the explosions to the experts. Setting off fireworks is risky, and explosives and alcohol should never mix.

If you plan on creating your own fireworks show, please refrain from drinking and make sure that you follow all safety precautions. And, if you’ll be setting off fireworks in your neighborhood near other people and their pets, be sure to talk with your neighbors before the big night. Let them know your plans, and then you can work with them to ensure that no one is surprised, scared, or hurt.

Injured During New Year’s Eve?  Contact the Champion Firm Now

New Year’s Eve can be one of the most fun and entertaining nights of the year, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Be mindful of your safety and the safety of those around you, as you make your plans. At the same time, remember that you cannot control others’ actions. Unfortunately, every year, we see thousands of accidents and injuries across the U.S. on a night that should be a celebration of the coming year.

We hope that you have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve. But, if you are injured or you lose someone you love due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing on New Year’s Eve or at any other time, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you through your case to get the compensation you’re owed.