Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Year's Eve Safety Tips

New Year's Eve is a night to have fun and celebrate the coming year. However, safety is a must when participating in the festivities. Whether you're staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or you're traveling to a party, following a few safety tips will ensure that you're safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in 2011!

1. If you're driving, be aware of your surroundings. New Year's Eve
is notorious for drunk driving, and the best way to keep you and your loved ones safe, is to know where you're at and be alert while behind the wheel.

2. If you're drinking, leave the keys with a designated driver. If you don't have a designated driver, call a taxi. If you're attending a party at someone's home, leave your keys with the host. If you're the hostess, provide a bowl at the door where guests can put their keys before the party begins. This way, you can ensure no one leaves your home while intoxicated. Also remember: buzz driving is drunk driving.

3. If you're burning candles,
incense or oil burners, remember to extinguish them before you turn in or before you leave the room they are burning in.

4. Be sure smoke alarms are working and batteries are up to date. If you are hosting a New Year's party, this is a safety measure that is essential, especially if you are cooking. Be sure you change the batteries a few days before your party so you are sure all smoke alarms are in working order.

5. If you're attending a party in a larger city, or where there are crowds, travel with a group or in pairs. With the festivities in full force around you, traveling with someone else will ensure you are never by yourself at any time. The last thing you want is to get lost in the midst of thousands of people and have to ring in the New Year by yourself.

6. If you are letting off fireworks in a residential area, be sure to practice proper safety precautions when using them. Let off fireworks in a field or other open area where homes and power lines are out of site. Have a fire extinguisher nearby and never try to re-light a firework that did not go off when first lit. Also, be sure pets and children are at a safe distance from where fireworks are being ignited.

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