Hosting a safe New Year's Eve party | News

By Nancy Reid, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth
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America's number-one party night is almost here. Not to dampen your
holiday spirit (it is your last chance to whoop it up before tending to
those New Year's resolutions), but the point is to see in the New Year. That means surviving the Eve.

Alcohol is the common thread in deadly New Year's Eve partying. Young
people are especially at risk. Alcohol-related highway crashes are the
leading cause of death for teens and the young -- but no one is immune.
There is one alcohol-related death every 31 minutes, according to the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The agency offers these tips to party throwers:

1) Avoid making alcohol the main focus of social events. Entertain guests with music, dancing, games, food and conversation.

2) Offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage choices, including sparkling water, fancy juice drinks, soft drinks and bottled water.

3) Provide guests with nutritious and appealing foods
to slow the effects of alcohol. High-protein and high-carbohydrate
foods - such as cheese and meat -- are great. Avoid salty foods, which
encourage people to drink more.

4) Stop serving drinks at least an hour before the end of the event. Instead, serve coffee, non-alcoholic beverages and desserts.

5) Before the party, recruit people who won't be drinking to help make sure your guests get home safely.

6) Don't let anyone who has been drinking drive.
Offer your guest room or couch for the night, call a cab or ask someone
else to drive your guest home. If the drinker insists on driving, take
the keys or temporarily disable the car. If all else fails, say you will
call the police (and follow through if you have to).

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