Tips to Celebrate New Year Safely

1. Protect yourself when you party out:

With the coronavirus pandemic still active in certain areas, it is important to keep yourself safe whether you meet up with your friends at a restaurant or at someone else’s house, wear a mask, carry hand sanitizers and practice social distancing.

It might not be easy to party hard while being cautious, but if everybody at the party thinks similarly, it becomes easier.

2. Handle champagne safely:

Champagne is a standard fixture in Christmas and New Year celebrations. But the fizzy drink that’s a champion of all celebrations and festive events can also turn into a hazard in rare circumstances.

A cork popping out of a champagne bottle can strike hard (hard enough to shatter glass).

So, when you pop open a bottle of champagne, make sure you do it at a safe distance away from guests and breakable items.

3. Drink in moderation:

If you drink at all, make sure that you do not exceed more than a glass of champagne or two.

If you like to drink and party hard, make sure you have plans in place. You’ll not be able to drive after several rounds of drinks, so have some a plan in place.

Ask a friend to drop you home or pre-book a cab to pick you up after the party so that you can ride home safely.

If you have come to a party with your gang, plan in advance – is there someone who doesn’t drink and is willing to drop everyone at their homes?

If everyone in your group has indulged in drinks, book a cab or two in advance or on the spot if your drink sessions were inevitable and unanticipated.

4. Be safe on the road:

You might be driving home after a party after just a customary glass of champagne and nothing more, but you never know about the people driving on New Year Eve.

Most accidents are reported during these times and you don’t want to start off your new year on a bad note.

If you are at a friend’s party and not sure if you can drive back home, check to find out if there’s someone can drop you at your place.

If not, ask the host if there is a spare room where you can stay for the night.

5. Celebrate at home if possible:

It’s true that partying at restaurants or pubs on New Year can be fun, but you can encounter unanticipated problems.

People tend to overdrink outside where it’s easier to go overboard than at home.

A small quarrel between a few heavily drunk people can result in a possible brawl you’d rather not be in the midst of.

At your home, you can limit the number of drinks allowed for everyone so that everyone drinks in moderation.

Best of all, you don’t have to worry about commuting – you just need to ensure that your guests get back home safe or have somewhere to stay for the night.

6. Ensure safety for your family:

If there are young kids at home, while there’s also a New Year party in full swing, it is essential to have a babysitter to care for them.

With the music, noise and a busy time taking care of your gusts, it’s easy to miss out hearing them cry or call out.

For kids old enough to go out to party, enforce a strict curfew and keep your phone fully charged and at a high volume so that you don’t miss out any calls from them at a time of need.

7. Eat a hearty meal or snacks:

Irrespective of whether you’re attending a party or hosting one at your home, food is an important component.

If alcohol is served at the party, have plenty of snacks and light food around.

Drinking on an empty stomach can cause more than just hangovers later on – it can get absorbed in the stomach and result in a variety of problems.

Whereas, food can slow down absorption of alcohol and reduce its ill-effects. So, celebrate your New Year with drinks and food!

8. Be careful with fireworks:

If you’re planning to set off fireworks for Midnight New Year, it goes without saying that you should be aware of the local laws regarding the use and timings.

If there are pets at home, make sure that you’ve moved them to a quiet place.

Fireworks are major fire hazards as you can never predict where burning fragments will land. Preferably, choose or clear up a spot far from houses and flammable materials.

Follow the instructions while setting them off and stay at a safe distance. Have a fire extinguisher at hand, just in case!

Have a happy, safe and wonderful New Year!