New Year’s Eve is a fun holiday to spend with family, friends and loved ones. Whether you tend to go out and dance the night away or stay home with a cozy cup of tea ready to curl up once midnight hits or you’re somewhere in between, New Year’s Eve is a holiday where watching out for your safety can be wildly important and can save you in a time of need. The good news is, there are so many ways to keep yourself and those around you safe on New Year’s so you can start the next year off on the right foot.
Whether you plan to get a bit tipsy or you’re keeping it dry this year, there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re going at the evening as safely as possible. While some of these may seem fairly common, a reminder can always help you make sure you’d rather be safe than sorry.
- Have a Designated Driver
This tip is one of the most common, and that’s because it’s one of the most useful and crucial to a safe night out, no matter what time of year it is. If you plan to get tipsy or your friend group does it’s important to pick a safe, responsible designated driver, or opt not to drive at all by using rideshare services or other forms of public transportation. If it seems like nobody in your group wants to be the designated driver, that might be your primary option.
If you’re selecting a member of your group to be the designated driver, it’s important to make sure that your driver stays completely sober in order to stay safe. Some people think they can drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs when really, nobody should get behind the wheel especially when responsible for others in a compromised state.
- Plan for an Overnight
Speaking of staying off the roads, it can also be a good idea to avoid driving altogether. Not only does this save you the trouble of selecting a designated driver, but it also keeps you off the road and out of the way of other unsafe drivers on the road that might be out at the time. If you’re out for the evening, planning to stay overnight somewhere near the festivities ahead of time can take the stress of thinking out of it, and make it much easier to stay safe while you have fun.
If you’re the one hosting the festivities, offering people the opportunity to stay overnight should be a part of the game plan even if you have guests who aren’t drinking. Guests who decided to have a drink last minute, feel too tired to drive or don’t know their way around the area should probably stay for the night, too. This can give everyone peace of mind and a bit of extra safety.
- Maintain Social Distancing
This year, it’s more important than ever to keep your health and the health of others in mind while you celebrate, which means maintaining social distancing, wearing masks when required and adhering to local and state guidelines, whatever they might be for your area. If you plan to go out, remaining as safe and cautious as possible is going to be the right thing to do.
However, if you don’t plan to go out, spending the evening with a few close friends or family can be just as fun and entertaining. Hosting a digital New Year’s Eve party, dressing up and watching the ball drop at midnight can be all you need to have a fantastic holiday, all without putting your health and safety at risk.
- Keep Your Limits in Mind
Whether you’re out somewhere responsibly or staying home, it can be important to keep your limits in mind when it comes to substances and using them wisely. Holidays are sometimes used as an excuse to go a bit overboard on drinking or other recreational activities, but it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to handle it any better than usual, either.
If you plan to have a drink or two, make sure you eat beforehand so as not to feel sick, remember your limits and have a plan in place in case you do go a bit past your comfort zone. And of course don’t drink alone, and don’t drink and drive.
- Have a Plan for the Kids
If you have little ones at home, having a plan for them can make sure they’re in totally safe hands while you’re having the time of your life. While this could mean spending New Year’s Eve as a family holiday if you stay home or spend it with trusted individuals in a child-friendly setting, it could also mean hiring a babysitter you know your kids are comfortable with.
While finding childcare on a holiday isn’t always the easiest thing to do, making sure your kids are in safe hands should be your first priority, even if that means spending the holiday a bit differently than you’re used to.
Staying Safe Into the New Year
Whether you’re social distancing and spending the evening outdoors or keeping it locked down tight this year with the family, a safe holiday is always the best. That way, you can be worry-free while you enjoy the evening with the ones you care about.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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