With the close of 2009, the Cushing Police Department is offering the following sensible safety tips for a happy and safe New Year’s Eve:
• Don’t drink and drive! However, if you catch a buzz, catch a ride. Plan ahead by designating a reliable driver to ensure you and your friends get home safely.
• Make a plan as to how many drinks you will have and stick to it by monitoring your alcohol consumption; alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at a sensible pace.
• If you do drink, eat before and during drinking.
• Avoid mixing drinks.
• A drink should never be left unattended. If you leave the room to the use the bathroom, empty or finish your drink.
• Get involved in other activities, for example playing board games, pool or dancing in lieu of drinking.
• If you go to a bar, only accept drinks from people you trust. Watch staff members as they make your drink.
• If someone offers to buy you a drink, go up to the bar with that person and accept the drink there.
• Use the buddy system – look after your friends and make sure they’ll look after you.
• Have a network of people who will assist you in an emergency and let them know where you are going and when you are likely to return.
• If you feel woozy or unexplainably intoxicated, go to a friend immediately and let them know. You may need medical attention quicker than you realize.
• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. If you feel threatened or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, leave immediately and go to a place where you feel safe.
• Trust your instincts and recognize warning signs of trouble.
• Consider the necessity of the items you are carrying in your handbag or wallet, and try to keep valuables to a minimum.
• Personal safety can be compromised at large gatherings. However, there is strength in numbers. Stay in groups of familiar people at parties or large gatherings.
• While police will be out in force, they cannot prevent spur-of-the-moment interactions between individuals. If you get into a potentially aggressive situation, walk away.
• Do not discharge firearms. A bullet fired in the air can remain in flight for sometime, resulting in deadly consequences if it strikes someone.
• Do not use fireworks. They are illegal inside the city limits, and could lead to injury or damage to property.
• Please always wear your seatbelt, and again, NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
Deputy Police Chief Tully Folden said, “We want our citizens to enjoy a safe, fun New Year’s Eve celebration whether at home or attending an event with family or friends. Our major emphasis focuses on getting people to commit now not to drink and drive, but if they do, have a system in place now that will promote the safety of others in addition to the safety of the drinker. There are so many other activities that allow a person to have an enjoyable time without consuming alcoholic beverages.”
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