Celebrate safely and responsibly this holiday season.

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of New Year’s Eve. It’s a night filled with hope for the future and the joy of spending time with loved ones. When going to these parties and celebrations, however, you should always have safety at the forefront of your mind. You can enjoy a safe New Year celebration and still have fun by following a few important tips.

Consuming Alcohol Responsibly

Every year, many car accidents happen during New Year’s Eve celebrations that could have been avoided if the drivers had consumed alcohol responsibly. To stay safe on New Year’s and keep others safe, you should therefore be careful with how much you drink. 

Know what your alcohol tolerance level is so that you don’t go past it. Not only will this help you have a safe New Year’s celebration, but it will also keep you from feeling terrible the next morning. If you aren’t sure of your tolerance levels, decide to only have a set number of drinks. 

Make sure to alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic drink options as the night progresses. This will let you avoid dehydration, which can make you sick. 

Alcoholic drinks are not great for your oral health because they’re full of sugar. Sugar feeds the bacteria that you have in your mouth, leading to the formation of plaque, which wears away at your enamel. You don’t want to start the year off with the risk of cavities, so limit your alcoholic drinks. 

Staying Hydrated

Dehydration is a real concern during New Year’s celebrations. It should be one of the personal safety tips you pay the most attention to. You’ll likely be in warm rooms, which cause sweating, and drinking alcohol, which naturally dehydrates you. 

Dehydration affects your overall well-being, making you more likely to experience a hangover the next morning. It even affects your oral health. Dehydration reduces your saliva production, and your oral structures rely on saliva to reduce bacteria and even remineralize your teeth. 

Throughout the night, drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of dehydration. 

Protecting Your Personal Safety

Another way to have a safe New Year’s Eve is to be mindful of your personal items, especially if you attend a crowded party or celebration. You should keep an eye on your drink to avoid having anyone tamper with it. 

You also want to keep an eye on your purse or wallet. If you plan on dancing, carry your things out to the dance floor with you. And if you’ll be standing in a crowded space, place your money, cards, and similar items in pockets where you’ll feel it if anyone reaches in.  

Do your best to travel in groups as well. There are always opportunistic people who are ready to take advantage of someone walking on their own after a party or between parties. If you went out to celebrate with a group, stick with them. 

Even while having fun, be aware of your surroundings. If something seems off or if you don’t feel comfortable, listen to your instincts. 

Another of the most important personal safety tips is to have a designated driver or a safe option for going home. Plan ahead to avoid having to wait a long time for a taxi or other transportation. 

Arranging Transportation

Having a safe New Year’s celebration depends greatly on having transportation to get home after a party. You never want to get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking—or allow anyone else to do so if they’ve had one too many drinks. 

Drinking and driving has serious consequences. It puts your life and that of others at risk. It also puts you in legal danger if you’re stopped. You can face fines and even jail time, depending on your blood alcohol level. 

It’s always a good idea to choose a designated driver before the party starts. If that’s not an option, look for rideshare services or even public transportation. If you do choose a rideshare service or public transportation option, try to ride in groups, especially if you’ve been drinking. People are less likely to bother you if they see you’re in a group. 

Have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve.

By taking simple precautions, you can have a much safer New Year’s Eve. You may even enjoy yourself more because you’ll be less worried about feeling hungover the next morning or having an unpleasant experience on your way home. 

At Luminous Smiles, our Newport Beach dentist encourages you to think about your oral health during the holiday season so that you can begin the new year on the right foot. To check on your dental health and see what you can do to improve this coming year, book an appointment at Luminous Smiles today.