As the 2014 holiday season comes to an end, we bring in 2015 with New Year’s Eve parties, trips to watch the annual ball drop, and of course the traditional singing of “Auld Lang Syne”.
Times Square during the ball drop, or a similar outdoor celebration in your area, can often be a dizzying and sometimes dangerous experience. If you plan on going out, here are some quick ideas to stay safe:
- The Weather: You may be outside much longer than you think! Come prepared for all possible weather conditions, including cold, snow, wind and/or rain. Dressing in layers helps warm the body with pockets of air. Be sure to remember your gloves, hat and a scarf.
- The Crowd: It’s easy to get lost in a large crowd, so discuss your plans with everyone in your party to ensure you don’t get separated from each other. It’s also a good idea to have an agreed upon meeting place so you can find each other if you do split up. Finally, don’t leave any drinks or similar items unattended at any time.
- Parking/Transportation: Remember you may have a far distance to walk, so be prepared with comfortable footwear. If you can plan for it, consider driving most of the way and using public transportation to get the rest of the way to the event. If you plan on drinking, designate a sober driver before the night begins, or look for a designated driving service. (See links below to find a service near you!)
- Social Media: Remember that when you post photos of you at an event you are publically alerting others that you are not at home. Consider saving those photos for the next morning, when you’re home safe and sound.
- Theft: Keep a close eye on valuables and belongings. If possible, keep your valuables in an inside pocket, to prevent them from being pick-pocketed. Keep children or pets close to you. Also, ensure not to leave any valuables or large items in plain view in your car, giving more incentive for a break-in.
With all of the celebration, it is only natural that our friends and family members (over the age of 21) will be drinking champagne or other types of alcoholic beverages. Sometimes this is out at bars or restaurants. For many of us, this means attending parties in private homes. Whether you’re going out to a bar, a party, or hosting an event yourself, there are additional safety tips to consider:
- Designate a Driver: Before the night begins, decide who is going to remain sober. If that person happens to end up drinking anyway, call a taxi or another sober driver to assist.
- Ride Share/Safe Ride: If there are teetotalers among your crew, try to make arrangements for a ride in advance of the festivities. AAA offers a Holiday Safe Ride Program, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also has a Sober Ride list, and the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS) can assist you with finding a driver service. Also, MADD is teaming up with Lyft and Uber this year, and the two car-sharing services will both be donating some proceeds to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
- On the Road: Remain alert at all times! If you see a driver who appears to be intoxicated, maintain a safe distance and call the police! A public safety concern is your concern! Every year 10,000 people are killed in accidents by drunken drivers and the odds of instances of drunken driving are even greater around the holidays. You can find out more drinking and driving statistics from MADD, here.
- If You’re Hosting: Take the car keys of anyone who drove and does not have a sober ride home, preventing them from leaving without checking with you first. Remember to provide non-alcoholic beverages to those who are remaining sober, to stop serving alcohol to your guests several hours before they plan to leave, and provide your guests with a place to stay overnight if they’ve had too much to drink and drive. You will be held responsible for serving alcohol to your guests, so take this responsibility seriously to avoid any liability issues.
If you’re looking for a place to bring in the New Year that is more family oriented, or where there won’t be any alcohol around, consider searching for “First Night” events in a city or town near you. First Night celebrations are meant to provide a drug-and-alcohol-free event as an alternative to traditional parties, and while First Night was initially organized in Boston Massachusetts in 1976, it’s now a model for many cities as a way to make New Year’s Eve a safe and fun experience for the entire family. Austin Air’s home city of Buffalo, New York will be hosting its 26th consecutive ‘First Night’, bringing in around 5,000 people from the surrounding areas to watch the ball drop, along with many other activities and performances.
Celebrating an end to 2014 should be a joyous and healthy time for us all. As we bring in the New Year, please keep these tips in mind to have a safe and wonderful time with your loved ones!
On that note, we’ll leave you with a clip of a classic take on a New Year’s favorite, Auld Lang Syne.
Happy New Year, see you in 2015!
