For most people, St. Patrick’s Day is a lighthearted holiday filled with good cheer, parades, green T-shirts, and Irish pride. Unfortunately, due to the high alcohol content at many St. Patrick’s Day events, the holiday can end in injury or even tragedy. If you are planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year with a house party or at a public event in Hollywood or your ocmmunity, make sure that you have a plan to stay safe and avoid injury. Your plan should include:
1) A buddy system.
You will be safer if you consume alcohol with friends and family, especially if some of your friends are staying sober. Buddies can ensure that you are not at risk of getting mugged, falling over, or sustaining other injuries because you’ve been drinking.
2) A get home safe plan.
If you plan on drinking, make sure that you have at least three ways of getting home safely. This may involve having money in your wallet for a cab, an app on your phone to call a cab, and a list of people you can contact in order to get home safely. Do not just rely on one plan. If you find that you spend all your money, for example, you may not be able to take a taxi home. In this situation, it is safer to have other options. Better yet, to avoid the temptation to drink and drive, leave your car at home and eliminate the possibility of drunk driving entirely.
3) A plan to drink responsibly.
Excess can be extremely dangerous. Keep in mind that even if you have a failsafe plan to get home safely without drinking and driving, drinking alcohol itself can be dangerous. Drinking too much can lead to poor decision making, falls, or even alcohol poisoning. Plan to have fun on St. Patrick’s Day, but practice some moderation so that the next day is not too painful.
4) A plan for crowds.
If you and your family will be taking part in parades or any large event, be sure that you understand how to stay safe in crowds. Wear comfortable clothing and keep your wallet tucked away so that you are less of a target for thieves. Find a spot where you can enjoy the event together without being crushed or jostled and have a back-up plan in case you and your group get separated.
5) Food and water.
If you are serving alcohol at a St. Patrick’s Day party, serve water and food. If you are out drinking, be sure to stay hydrated and eat light food steadily during the day and night. Drinking on an empty stomach can make the effects of alcohol more severe – and so can dehydration.
If you have been injured by a drunk driver or by someone else whose negligence led to serious injury, contact Flaxman Law Group immediately for free, honest legal advice. Our full-service law firm offers legal advice and representation for people who have been injured across South Florida. Our compassionate and caring legal team can help you understand your rights in a free accident consultation, so call today if you have been injured.