Health and Safety Tips on New Year’s Celebrations

As the New Year approaches, it is time to reflect on the last 365 days and celebrate the start of another phase. As the year comes to a close, many people will be drinking, dancing, and engaging in a host of activities.

Whether you welcome the New Year from the comfort of your home or spend the night out with friends, safety should be on top of your priority.

We have laid out some precautions you should take to ensure everyone stays safe during this years New Year’s celebrations and beyond.

Driving or Traveling

The roads are slippery in winter, and the risk of getting into an accident increases when you travel after dark. Ensure you drive safely at the recommended speed while maintaining a safe distance from other cars.

Stay alert behind the wheel and avoid drinking and driving, as it is a serious risk to yourself and others. If the roads are impassable or too bad, consider staying at home and having fun there.

Drink Responsibly

If you’re planning to drink, designate a driver, use public transportation, or hire a taxi. Don’t let your drinking friends drive, especially if you are hosting a party in your home. In many states, you could be held liable for damage by a drunk driver who leaves your party. Be a responsible host.

If there’s champagne at the party, pay attention to how you open the bottle. A projectile cork can pose a danger to party attendees, especially if you don’t have experience of opening such bottles. Chill champagne to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit to make it less likely to pop. When ready to open, place a towel on the bottle, tilt it at a 45-degree angle, and point it away from yourself and others.

Responsible drinking also requires that you pace yourself while drinking. Please pay attention to how much alcohol you consume, bearing in mind that too much of it can cause alcohol poisoning. Stay hydrated by alternating your drinks with juice, water, or soda.

The amount of food in your stomach can also alter the rate of alcohol absorption in the bloodstream. High-fat and high-carbohydrate foods slow down the pace. Ensure you feed well before drinking.

Handle Food Safely

Food can cause poisoning if not handled the right way. Ensure you heat food adequately and put leftovers away as soon as possible to prevent poisoning. If you’re hosting a party at home, check your questions about food allergies to avoid health issues from arising.

Ensure you have plenty of food, appetizers, and snacks to keep the party going if you plan to stay up until late. Consider eating before you leave home if you plan to go out. It will slow down how fast you feel hungry while away from home.

Safety Considerations for Fireworks

Check your local regulations regarding the use of fireworks in residential places. If you don’t have enough experience using them, leave them to professionals. Inexperienced users could injure or cause irreversible harm to other people.

If you decide to use fireworks, ensure you keep pets and children away from the area. They can experience anxiety or potentially get hurt in the process. Keep your pet indoors and comfortable by playing relaxing music to drown startling noises.

Only use one firework at a time and move back. Avoid reigniting a firework that doesn’t go off the first time. Instead, douse the fireworks in water and discard them.

Be wary of sparklers, too, commonly used by kids. They burn at high degrees of about 2,000 and can be a fire hazard. Keep a garden hose or a bucket of water closed in case of emergencies.

The team at InsureYourCompany, wishes you safe and happy New Year’s celebrations. If you’d like any insurance cover during this season and beyond, we are here to help. Contact us to get a quote.