New Years Eve Safety Tips
The members of the Richland Center Fire Department wish you and your family a safe and prosperous 2016. Please review the following safety tips for celebrating the new year.
Drinking:
First of all, Always remember to be responsible when consuming alcohol and know your limits.
While this goes under the “common sense” rule, it still must be said, DON’T SIT YOUR DRINK DOWN ANYWHERE! A lot of times people are to trusting within their surrounding and tend to put their drink down where anyone can get to it, keep your drink with you. Even if you have to go to the bathroom, either take it with your or give it to a close friend of yours. Whatever you do, don’t leave your drink at a table and then come back to it. While New Year’s Eve is super fun it’s also super dangerous when it comes to someone spiking your drink while it’s unattended.
Champagne Corks – You can avoid eye injuries and broken windows if you follow the advice of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and remember the number 45. That is, you should chill your champagne to at least 45°F, as this will make the cork less likely to pop out unexpectedly, and you should hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle, pointing it away from yourself and others. Then, after removing the wire hood, place a towel over the top of the bottle and grasp the cork. With the bottle in one hand, slowly twist the cork, applying gentle upward pressure. When you feel the cork about to pop out, reverse pressure to a slight downward tilt. If all goes well, you’ll have a cork in one hand, a full bottle in the other, and no injuries in sight. This may sound funny, or be obvious however; it’s a serious issue, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye!
Driving:
Whatever you do this New Year’s Eve, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! Even if you’ve had only a couple of drinks, have a designated driver to drive you around. You many think that you’re not that “buzzed up”, however you’re wrong! To avoid problems with accidents and the law, have someone sober drive for you. This doesn’t count if your designated driver had drinks along with you; make sure your driver is alcohol free for the night. Remember buzzed driving is drunk driving.
Even better, if you can make arrangements to stay where you are celebrating New Years Eve. You may be in fine condition, but you dont know about the driver next to you or around the corner.
Public Events:
Being that it’s New Year’s Eve you may want to attend New Year’s parties and New Year’s festivities. When attending these events, beware of your surroundings at all times! This is extremely important since you may be drinking around people you don’t know, and possibly in a place you’ve never been. Never go to unfamiliar places by yourself. This doesn’t just go for women it also goes for men! When at public events make sure you have a communication device such as cell phone just in case anything negative occurs. Be prepared!
Fireworks:
When it comes to explosives, follow the same rules on New Year’s Eve that you would any other time of the year: Leave it to the experts. The best way to enjoy fireworks is to watch a public exhibition from a safe distance. If you feel you must light your own fireworks never allow children to handle or light any kind of fireworks.
Firearms:
It is a tradition for some to shoot firearms up in the air. This is a very bad idea, especially in populated areas as what goes up, must come down.
Friends:
If you plan on going anywhere for the New Year’s Eve holiday, take friends with you! When going to any type of party or function, don’t go alone!
Pet Safety:
Nothing frightens pet’s more than sudden loud noises. Extra attention must be given so your pets won’t run away in a panic. Scared, running pets can be hit by cars, cause accidents, and become lost…not to mention, they frequently bite people.
- Make sure all fences and gates are secure.
- Make sure your pet has its ID or dog license, if you have a microchip in your pet, make sure it is current.
- Ask your veterinarian for tranquilizers if your animal has shown signs of extreme uneasiness in the past.
- Keep your pets INSIDE, in a comfortable room, with comforting music playing to drowned out scary noises.
Have a Safe New Year!
Remember Don’t drink and drive. Unless you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party, if you celebrate the New Year most likely you may be heading to a friend’s place or a bar to celebrate the end of the year. If you find yourself at a friend’s house, don’t be afraid to ask to spend the night. A rough night’s sleep on a sofa is far better than a DUI, or worse, an accident.
On New Year’s Eve, everyone wants to have an unforgettable night — in a good way. By following a few simple steps, having a good sense of awareness, and taking these safety tips to heart, we can all have a happy, healthy, and safe celebration. Have a happy, safe, and healthy 2016!
