Safety Tips for the New Year

Every New Year's Eve, millions of people all over the globe ring in the New Year with parties, food, drink, and friends. Unfortunately, New Year's Eve is also one of the worst holidays for car wrecks, fires, and other preventable disasters. Here are some tips to having a safe and fun New Year's Eve:

Tip 1: NEVER Drink and Drive

Just don't drink and drive. Sounds simple, right? Not really. You'll be going to parties all night long, and chances are you will want a drink at some point in the night. Remember, all you have to do is designate a driver for the night, a person who is either too young to drink or who volunteers to be the safe driver. You could even step up and be the designated driver for your group, or switch off with your spouse each year. Another idea is to hire a cab or driver for the night- chances are these people won't be drunk on the job. Also, don't drive when you're sleepy- sleepiness is another common cause of New Year's car crashes, as it can produce the same mind-clouding effects as being drunk.

Tip 2: Watch Out for Other Drivers

Hopefully, you'll be a safe person and designate an alcohol-free driver for New Year's Eve, but that doesn't mean everyone will be as cautious as you. Be extra watchful for drunk drivers sharing the road you're on. Try to stay on surface streets, as it is on the freeways where the high-speed drunk driving accidents are the most violent. Don't let your guard down, and be extra careful in traffic intersections.

Tip 3: Be Careful When Using Candles and Fireworks

Many people like to decorate their New Year's party with candles, and parties often feature do-it-yourself fireworks. First, be smart about placing candles around your home- that means trimming all wicks to l/4", putting all candles in balanced, non-flammable containers, and always keeping candles away from kids, pets, and most importantly, always setting your candles at least 5 feet from flammable objects such as curtains. To be on the safe side, have an easily accessible bucket of water tucked into some corner of your home if a candle does get knocked over. Second, DIY fireworks are rarely a good idea, especially if they're at the same party as alcohol. To be as safe as possible, read and follow all of the directions on the packaging of the fireworks, burn fireworks in a non-flammable area such as a concrete yard, and stay extra alert around fireworks of all sizes. Remember, fireworks are illegal in some states, so make sure you're allowed to set them off before doing so.

Tip 4: Hire a High-Quality Babysitter

All too often, people wait until the last minute to hire a holiday babysitter and end up settling with a less-than-satisfactory caretaker. Hire your New Year's Sitter early, and make sure he or she is CPR certified, has some form of babysitting training, and is willing to provide reachable references. Don't be surprised when a good quality babysitter charges as much as $20+ an hour, for she is in high demand for New Years and is missing out on the holiday herself.

Follow these four tips and I guarantee you will have a safer, happier, disaster-free New Year's Eve. Above all, use your common sense and stay alert at all times. Have a happy, safe New Year!