Members of the Transit Center at Manas dance during the New Year's Eve Party at TCM, Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 31, 2013. The party had dance music for attendees to dance to and glow sticks to wear before the TOTO and Friends concert. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman George Goslin)

New Year's Eve Safety

Go out in groups - people celebrating

If you're going to a party or heading to a public event, make plans to arrive and leave with a group.

  • Communicate your plans with your family and your group before you leave
  • Check in with each other throughout the night, especially if your plans change
  • Bring a charger for your phone
  • Be aware of your surroundings; if you get separated from your group, you will want to know where you are, where you're going and where you're spending the night
  • Never go anywhere with strangers
  • Leave valuables at home, and hold your phone and wallet in a front pocket

Celebrate New Year's Eve Responsibly poster

Fireworks - People watching fireworks

When it comes to fireworks, follow the same rules on New Year's Eve that you would any other time of the year.

  • It's safest to leave it to the experts - watch a public fireworks display from a safe distance
  • If you feel you must light your own fireworks, obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks
  • Never allow children to handle or light any kind of fireworks
  • Remember, fireworks and alcohol don't mix
  • Always have a bucket of water and a charged water hose nearby
  • Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from buildings or combustible materials

Alcohol Safety - People holding champagne glasses

  • PLAN A SOBER RIDE: If you intend to drink, make sure you plan ahead for ride. Ask a sober friend or family member, use a rideshare app or take a taxi. Buses or trains are also an option in many cities. With so many options there is no excuse to drive intoxicated, putting your life and the lives of others at risk.
  • ENSURE YOUR FRIENDS HAVE A SOBER RIDE: If you see your friends attempting to drive under the influence, take their keys if you have to. Offer them a ride or a couch to sleep on if you're hosting the party.
  • EAT DINNER: Eating food, especially foods high in protein such as meat, cheese and nuts, will help slow down the absorption of alcohol in the digestive system. This gives the alcohol more time to metabolize in the body, resulting in a lower risk of alcohol poisoning.
  • LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE: Our liver metabolizes about one alcoholic drink per hour. This generally equates to a 12 oz. beer, a 4-5 oz. glass of wine, or 1.5 oz. of hard liquor. By sipping a drink rather than chugging it, your body will have more time to metabolize the alcohol.
  • KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR DRINK: Never leave your beverage unattended. The risk of someone slipping drugs into an unattended beverage goes up during crowded celebrations such as New Year's Eve.