Celebrating New Year’s Eve is a favorite pastime for many. December 31 can be one of the best nights of the year, but it is also one of the most dangerous. In 2020, Illinois saw six alcohol-related fatalities on New Year’s Eve, according to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Accidents of any kind are inevitable but impaired driving accidents are 100% preventable. Even if you are staying in or hosting a party of your own, there are still some things to consider to stay safe and on New Year’s Eve. The personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe offer these Chicago New Year’s Eve safety tips.
Chicago New Year’s Eve Safety Tips for Partygoers
If you are planning on going out this New Year’s Eve to a bar, club, or party, here are a few things to keep in mind before heading out and once you arrive:
- Plan ahead: before going out, discuss where you’re going, who is going with you, and what you plan to do when you arrive. Also discuss a plan on what to do if your group gets separated.
- Have a designated driver: if you intend on consuming alcohol on New Year’s Eve, it’s smart to schedule a ride home in advance. Impaired driving greatly increases the odds of being involved in a car accident as well as criminal charges from a DUI. Driving while impaired is never worth the risk. Plan on using rideshare service or hailing a taxi to get home. You can also use the new designated driver service Dryver which is available in Chicago.
- Use public transportation: this is another way to get home after a night out. Using public transportation also allows you to avoid driving and parking your car on the street.
- Park in a safe area: if you do end up driving and parking your car, park in a safe area. Make sure to park in a well-lit area, lock your doors, and do not leave any valuables in the car.
- Bring the essentials: when going out on the town, make sure to bring your ID, a cell phone charger, credit/debit card, and some cash, if you think you might need it. Leave anything else valuable or unnecessary at home to avoid losing it or having it stolen.
- Don’t ride with a drunk or tipsy driver: don’t get in a vehicle with someone who’s been drinking. You may not see that the driver is also impaired when you are also drinking. This can cause you to end up suffering an avoidable catastrophic injury. Contact Lerner and Rowe if you’ve suffered a passenger injury in an accident caused by an impaired driver.
- Be careful in crowds: even if you think you are safe, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowds. When drinking, your inhibitions are lowered and it can lead to dangerous situations.
Chicago New Year’s Eve Safety Tips for Hosts
Hosting a New Year’s Eve party comes with a lot of responsibility. You want everyone to have fun while staying safe and avoiding any premises liability claims. Here are some tips to help keep your party safe.
- Prevent accidents before they happen: there are a few things you can do around the house before the party to keep everyone safe such as checking smoke detectors and cleaning up to prevent a slip and fall injury. Make sure to salt any slick surfaces if the weather has been cold.
- Be mindful of food safety: do not let food sit out for too long to prevent food poisoning. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Do not attempt to reheat anything that has been sitting out for more than two hours.
- Have plenty of food: to avoid guests drinking on an empty stomach, provide food and snacks. Avoid salty foods, since they may lead to increased alcohol consumption.
- Provide other beverage options: not everyone drinks alcohol so it’s important to provide other beverage options to guests. Use glasses of different colors when serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Throw away empty cups to prevent accidental ingestion by children or pets.
- Let your guests spend the night: if necessary, allow your guests to spend the night. If they don’t have a safe ride home this is the best way to prevent them from getting into an accident and you from being liable.
- Be careful with fireworks: New Year’s Eve often calls for fireworks but certain fireworks are illegal in Illinois. This doesn’t stop people from adding them to their celebration. If you will be using fireworks or will be around them, make sure to use them safely. We do not recommend the illegal use of fireworks in order to prevent burn injuries.
Injured on New Year’s Eve? Call Lerner and Rowe
We want everyone to have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve celebration. No matter how you choose to ring in the new year, accidents still happen. If they do, we can help. Negligent actions don’t care what day it is, which is why our Chicago personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe are available 24/7, even on holidays. We’ve recovered BILLIONS of dollars for our clients over the last 32 years; don’t delay to call us now!
Get in touch with us to schedule your free consultation. You can also reach us by LiveChat or by filling out our contact form.