New Year's Eve: Safe and Sober Party Tips

By:

Mike Gimbel, contributor

New Year's Eve is fast approaching and it's meant to be a night of fun as we celebrate the beginning of another year. 

Unfortunately, many accidents and fatalities occur because partygoers don't have the heightened sense of awareness to the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.  Whether you're going to a party, hosting a party or just staying in with friends these Safe Party Tips can help save a life.

In addition to the Safe Party Tips below, this year we are strongly encouraging anyone who is taking a prescription medication to ask their doctor and or pharmacist if they can mix the medication with alcohol.  It only takes a small amount of alcohol to interact badly with certain medications, especially pain medications.

Watch Lutherville resident Mike Gimbel demonstrate on television special "impaired glasses" on WJZ-13 Sunday morning.

Hosting a party

1. Avoid making alcohol the main focus of the party

2. Offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages

3. Serve nutritious and appealing foods

4. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before end of party

5. Do not provide alcohol to anyone underage

6. Provide designated drivers, call a cab or let the drunk guest spend the night

7. Remember that coffee and or energy drinks does not sober up a drunk, only time does.

Going out

1. If you plan on drinking, don't drive

2. Make a plan on how to get home, ie: cab or designated driver

3. Plan to spend the night

4. Make sure you eat solid foods before you drink

5. Don't mix drinks with carbonated drinks or energy drinks

6. Do not leave drinks unattended

How do you plan on spending New Year's Eve? Did you find these tips helpful? Tell us in the comments section below.

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