Enjoy New Year & Avoid Drunk-Driving

'Friends don't let friends drive drunk'

Each year, the number of accidents and crashes spike on New Year's Eve. So, during this holiday season, try your best to avoid such mishaps and also help your guests to stay safe, too, if you are hosting a party, by following these simple tips:

o Ensure that all guests have a ride to and from the party in a car driven by a nondrinking designated driver.

o Plan activities that take the focus away from nonstop drinking, and make non-alcoholic beverages readily available.

o Serve high protein snacks to slow down alcohol absorption.

o Put away alcohol and start serving coffee and dessert at least 90 minutes before the party ends.

o Take the car keys if an intoxicated guest is planning to drive home. Some guests may not like the idea of taking a cab home because they don't want to return again to take their car the following day. Take the following service from the Auto club then, if it's available in your state.

o Take the service of AAA's Tipsy Tow' program. The Auto Club offers a complimentary ride and tow back to the guest's residence up to a certain distance (for example, 7 miles in Southern California but 18 miles in Oklahoma) as a part of the club's public awareness campaign 'You Drink. You Drive. You Lose'. Even non-members of the club can get the ride. Callers need to keep in mind that the service excludes rides for passengers, is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver and the destination is limited to the driver’s residence. Reservations are not accepted. Drivers can expect to pay the rate charged by the tow truck contractor for rides farther than the maximum allowed distance. Call: 1-800-AAA-HELP (-4357).

Safe Holiday Celebration

Attention to safety can go a long way toward keeping your holiday celebrations festive. Whether you're installing decorations or planning to do so, following these tips can help prevent injuries and damage:

Keep sidewalks and walkways clear of decorations. Repair any cracks in walkways or loose steps and make sure walkways aren't slippery.

If you host a party, serve plenty of appetizers and provide juices, non-alcoholic mixers, and sodas for designated drivers and non-drinking guests. Stop serving alcohol an hour before the party ends. Arrange alternate transportation for any guests who has had too much to drink.

At holiday gathering, remember that dogs pose risks for small children and may make some adults uncomfortable. Consider confining dogs to areas that won' t be used by guests. If you're visiting a home with a dog, don't leave your child alone with the animal.

Check each set of decorative lights for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets. String no more than 3 sets of lights per extention cord. Never place cords or lights behind drapes, under carpets, or across walkways. Always turn off the lights before you go to bed each night.

Use a screen to keep embers in the fireplace. Extinguish candles when they burn down to 2 inches above the holder.

If you're buying a cut tree, check the needles to make sure it's fresh, and water it daily. Keep the tree away from heat vent and the fireplace.