New Year’s Eve is among the most anticipated celebrations of the year: a night to pop the bubbly, let loose, and ring in the new year on a high note. Unfortunately, however, New Year’s Eve is also among the most dangerous holidays in the U.S resulting in personal injuries.
To help you stay safe while still enjoying the festivities, I’ve gathered some of my favorite New Year’s safety tips below. And remember–if you do happen to find yourself in an accident, a New York personal injury attorney may be able to help. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Buttafuoco & Associates and tell us more about your potential case.
Take Stock of Your Travel Plans
If you’re considering going out on the town celebrating this New Year’s Eve, you may want to rethink your holiday plans–or make sure you take extra precautions.
According to the Bronx News 12, 36 percent of car crashes on New Year’s Eve in 2020 were caused by a drunk driver. In fact, the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles says alcohol was the top contributing factor to car accidents last year.
Hosting a small gathering at home rather than heading on to the interstate and into the city would be a good call. If you do drive, keep your eyes peeled for evidence of drunk driving like weaving and increasing and decreasing speed. Avoid any driver displaying these behaviors at all costs!
Keep Your Guests Safe
If you do plan to host a party, remember that you are responsible for your guests’ safety. When parties get wild, every type of accident is more likely to happen–from alcohol poisoning to slips and falls.
The American Safety Council recommends having phone numbers for local hospitals and authorities on hand in case of an accident. They also advise hosts to arrange rides for their guests with a local taxi, public transportation or rideshare company, or to enlist a designated driver to deliver friends to their homes.
If you’re feeling particularly generous, allowing guests to crash at your home is the perfect way to keep everyone safe. Offering non-alcoholic drink options, water, and plenty of snacks can also help keep drinking down.
Dangerous New Year’s Eve Traditions
Champagne and fireworks are usually at the top of the list for New Year’s Eve celebrations. But fast-flying corks and inexperienced fireworks users can both cause serious injuries. If you do have a champagne toast, put a towel over the bottle’s neck and hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle facing away from guests (and yourself).
As far as fireworks go, keep them away from kids and pets. While sparklers may seem perfectly innocent, they burn incredibly hot–up to 2000 degrees–so it’s best to keep these out of kids’ (and adults’) hands.
If you must light fireworks, make sure a bucket of water is handy, and put out fireworks in water before you throw them away.
If You Do Go Out
If you do decide to celebrate on New Year’s Eve, there are several things you should avoid.
First, don’t leave your car on the street overnight if you are away from home–New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest holidays for auto theft. Additionally, always travel in a group, try to drink minimally, and don’t leave drinks unattended. If you do plan to drink alcohol, avoid driving and please arrange for a rideshare in advance. Setting it up before you go out will ensure that you have a way home safely at the end of the night.
Had a New Year’s Eve Accident?
We hope you have a safe and festive New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. If you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of suffering an accident due to someone else’s negligence, having personal injury lawyers to fight for your rights is crucial.
Whether you were injured at a friend’s party or had a serious crash resulting in brain damage, the New York personal injury attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates are here for you. During a free consultation, we will explain your rights, discuss whether you have a case, and talk about what the next steps are towards compensation.
If you need help, call 1-800-NOW-HURT.
