Happy New Year's Eve! To usher in 2024, many may choose to host or attend holiday parties to connect with friends and celebrate community. Along with good cheer, partying can create some challenges related to alcohol that may be dangerous and lead to substance-related traffic fatalities.
If you are planning to celebrate with a few drinks, remember don't drink and drive. Last year, impaired driving was blamed for 600 crashes in Florida just in December 2022.
We want you to celebrate safely and enjoy all that 2024 will bring! Our friends at Education Development Center (EDC) shared these helpful tips to help keep you and your guests safe if you are hosting a New Year's party.
Always serve food. Drinking on an empty stomach leads to more rapid absorption of alcohol. High-protein foods such as cheese and meat can slow down absorption.
Avoid serving salty snacks. Salty snacks tend to make people thirsty so they may drink more.
Provide appealing non-alcoholic alternatives. Guests may enjoy an enticing alcohol-free "mocktail" when given the option. Also offer chilled bottles of water and sparkling seltzer.
Avoid serving alcoholic punches. If you offer an alcoholic punch, make sure guests know it contains alcohol. Punches tend to hide the taste of alcohol so people may drink larger amounts.
Set up separate stations for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This not only helps people avoid potential triggers, it also makes it easier to limit access by minors.
Discard half-finished drinks. This is another helpful way to reduce youth access!
Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends. This gives guests time to process the alcohol in their systems. Baseball stadiums aren't the only places that should stop serving in the 7th inning!
Don't rely on caffeine to get your guests sober. Contrary to popular opinion, caffeine has no effect on how alcohol affects judgement, decision-making, or motor skills. In fact, because it makes people feel more awake, caffeine can mask alcohol impairment.
Don't avoid tough conversations. If you suspect that one of your guests has had too much to drink, don't be afraid to have a discrete conversation with them about how they plan to get home. Think safety, not judgement.
Arrange transportation for any guests who seem impaired. In the true holiday spirit, it's more likely a friend or neighbor has room in the car for one more passenger. In mor urban areas, Uber, Lyft, and cabs are also viable options for getting guests home safely.
Stay off the road if you've had too much to drink. AAA offers their Tow to Go Program offering impaired drivers services that will take you and your car to a safe location free of charge. Call 855-2-TOW-2-GO.
Have a fantastic and safe New Year's Eve! 🎉
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