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    Common Sense for a Safe New Year’s Eve

    Posted on - Wednesday, December 30, 2015 under General

    Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? I have no idea. But should you be careful on New Year’s Eve so you can be around to sing those words at midnight and make it home safely afterwards? Absolutely.

    The festivities to mark the turning of the calendar take place in homes, bars, restaurants, or concert halls. No matter the venue, the odds are that alcohol will be flowing freely. At some point, some of those folks who have consumed all of that booze may want to set off some fireworks or fire some guns into the air and almost all of them will need to get home. This is a recipe for disaster.

    According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 45 fatalities involving an alcohol-impaired driver occur every day over the holidays and soar dramatically to 54 per day during and around New Year’s Eve. Similarly, more fireworks-related injuries are reported on New Year’s Eve than any other day other than the 4th of July.

    So, as you get ready to pop those corks, kiss your date, or otherwise celebrate or lament the end of 2015 and the start of 2016, just remember:

    • Watch the booze intake. Especially at house parties or events with an open bar, keeping track of your alcohol consumption on a festive night can be a challenge. Make sure you’ve eaten and stay hydrated, switching up your drinks from alcohol to water every couple of drinks.
    • Stay off the road. I don’t need to tell you not to drink and drive; you know that. Make sure you have a plan for getting home, whether a designated driver, a cab, or public transportation. If you’re hosting a party, you may want to have transportation options available for your guests, or be in a position to let them stay overnight.
    • Careful with the fireworks. As of July 1, 2015, all consumer fireworks became legal in the state of Georgia, which means that this New Year’s Eve will likely be louder, and result in more fireworks injuries, than in past years. The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire has a list of good tips for the safe use of your now-legal
    • Remember the Law of Gravity. Before you fire those guns straight into the air, remember that what goes up must come down. On New Year’s Eve 2009, a four-year-old boy from Decatur was struck and killed by a bullet that came down into the roof of the church he was attending. Don’t risk injuring yourself or others by shooting into the sky.

    All of us at the Parian Law Firm wish you and yours a safe, fun, prosperous, and very Happy New Year.