It’s almost time to bid this year a farewell and ring in a new one. But what should be a time of festivity and joy can often turn into a safety nightmare, sometimes with deadly consequences.
Whether you’re gearing up for a New Year’s Eve party or planning to celebrate at home, keep the following safety tips in mind to start the New Year off the right way – the safe way.
New Year’s Eve Safety Tips for the Workplace
Even if your workplace isn’t hosting a New Year’s celebration, you could still be at risk for safety-related incidents. Employees who start celebrating early or come to work after a night of drinking could pose a risk to others workers.
Considering the following safety tips for the workplace this New Year’s Eve:
- Remind employees to be responsible when consuming alcohol on New Year’s Eve.
- Urge employees not to come to work hungover. Let them know the potential safety consequences of working under the influence of alcohol.
- Remember that serving alcohol at a company-hosted party could make you liable for any alcohol-related incidents. The smart idea is to avoid serving alcohol at a company event.
- Keep decorations out of the way of walkways and heat sources. This can help prevent slips and falls, as well as mitigate your risk of fire.
New Year’s Eve Safety Tips for the Home
New Year’s Eve celebrations can vary, from small gatherings with friends to large-scale parties with alcohol and fireworks. Help them celebrate at home safely with the following reminders.
- Know your alcohol limit and don’t drink more than you can handle.
- Alternate each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water to stay hydrated and slow the alcohol’s effects.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Keep alcohol away from children and pets.
- Make sure that food isn’t left out for too long. Eating food served at the wrong temperature can leave you vulnerable to foodborne illnesses.
- Even if you aren’t consuming alcohol, it’s important to be wary of the people who are. Recognize when someone may have had too much to drink, and make sure they don’t drink and drive.
- If you’re hosting guests, offer them a place to sleep to prevent them from having to drive home. Even if they aren’t drinking, they may encounter someone on the road who has been drinking.
New Year’s Celebration Safety Tips
Lots of bars and hotels host their own New Year’s Eve parties, but don’t let the music, free food, and drink discounts cloud your judgment. It’s even more important to exercise caution at public parties. These safety tips might just save your life:
- If you’re going to a party, take a friend with you! Going alone can put you at a higher risk of incident. Having a friend can help you hold yourself accountable, plus it lets someone know where you are.
- Don’t leave your drink unattended.
- Don’t leave your car overnight. New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest nights for car thefts and break-ins.
Stay Safe on the Road
Ideally, you won’t have to drive anywhere on New Year’s Eve. But if you’re attending a party outside the home and can’t stay overnight, keep the following road safety tips in mind.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol, even if you’ve only had one drink or don’t feel intoxicated.
- Keep your phone charged in case you need to call for a ride or experience an emergency.
- Keep in touch with your group. If you get separated, check in to let them know you’re safe.
Don’t Forget About the Pets!
Whether you’re celebrating at home or elsewhere, your pets’ safety should be considered. If you have pets at home, consider the following suggestions to protect them on New Year’s Eve.
- Keep pets in a garage or outdoor pen to prevent them from running away. Fireworks can frighten pets and may cause them to run into the road or run away from home.
- Keep pets away from food, fireworks, and alcohol at your party.
- Make sure your pet is wearing an ID in case it were to escape.
Commit to Safety in the New Year
The New Year is a chance for a fresh start, commit to making it a safe and prosperous year.
Happy New Year from all of us at EHS Insight!
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