Even in our retired years, New Year’s Eve comes with a lot of expectations and pressure to have a wonderful and memorable night. NCRGEA asks you to please keep the following tips in mind while making plans for your celebrations.
1) Don’t drink and drive! It’s not only a safety hazard, it’s illegal! It has been said many times, but you can never say it enough. If you plan on going out for New Year’s Eve, designate a sober driver, take a ridesharing company or cab, plan to sleep over at the host’s home, or arrange for a sober driver to pick you up.
2) Plan for guests’ safety. If hosting a party, plan a way to have guests get home safely or have a place for them to sleep over if they don’t have a sober driver.
3) Consider pet safety. Animals get frightened around loud noises, especially fireworks. Keeping your pets inside can help avoid these issues. Make sure any pet that has a chance to get outside is properly tagged.
4) Try not to leave your car overnight. New Year’s Day is the second most active holiday for car theft. If you must leave your car, make sure it is locked and try to pick it up as early as you can the next day.
5) Be mindful at public events. Try not to travel alone; make sure you have a cell phone on you, and be aware of your surroundings. Many criminals consider retired citizens as easy targets.
6) Avoid using fireworks or flare guns without understanding local laws and safety rules.
NCRGEA hopes you enjoy your celebrations and we want you to be as safe as possible. Stay safe, stay smart, and make this New Year’s Eve unforgettable for the right reasons!