New Year's Eve safety might help you enjoy a great and safe New Year's Eve party. With COVID-19 still affecting people all around the world, it's critical to think about New Year's Eve safety while making plans for the approaching holiday.
Teresa Hui, 40, of Brooklyn, wears 2022 numeral glasses and a face mask in Times Square ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 20, 2021.
Andrew Kelly | Reuters
New Year's Eve Safety
Whether you want to spend the holiday alone, with a small group of loved ones, or with a bigger group, there are certain New Year's Eve safety recommendations to keep in mind that will allow you to completely enjoy the festivities while limiting your risk.
Visitors attend the Restaurants Asia and Cafe Asia trade conventions in Singapore November 18, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su
Think About Your Guests
If you want to throw a new year party, make your guest list as minimal as possible or staggered their arrival time to reduce the chance of transmitting COVID-19. Ideally, you should only celebrate with individuals who dwell in your home.
Create a Safe Party
If you have decided to host a party:
Have hand sanitizer's handy throughout the venue.
Make sure all bathrooms are stocked with hand soap.
Consider sanitizing the bathrooms a few times within the evening to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Practice food safety and avoid shared dishes or buffets. Instead, consider individually portioned snacks or meals to minimize using shared serving utensils.
Have extra masks on hand and make sure guests know that they must be worn, unless eating or drinking.
Set up tables or eating areas that are at least six feet apart from other guests and encourage only those who live in the same household to eat at the same table.
Outdoor events are noted to be safer than indoor events, so if possible, create an outdoor party.
Despite our government efficiency in Covid safety and the easing of restrictions everywhere, precautions still need to be taken for your sake and those around you!
Attending a Party
If you have decided to attend a party:
Be sure you haven't exhibited any signs of any illness, and if so, don't attend.
Be sure to bring your mask and a sanitizer with you.
If you notice anyone coughing or complaining about feeling ill, it's best to leave the party, or at least maintain a good distance from them.
Check with the host about any precautions they are taking to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 and see if there's anything you can do to help.
Eat beforehand in case you aren't able to eat the food at the party, or if there isn't any food at the party.
"Ownself check your health lah"
Before going to a party, check in with yourself to determine whether you have any symptoms of disease, particularly COVID-19. It is your obligation to avoid going to a party, even if you want to, if you are sick. Remember that COVID-19 affects people differently, and what is moderate to you may be deadly to someone else.
Prepare your mask and sanitizer.
If you are having guests over, meeting others out, or going to someone else's house or yard, make sure to wear your mask correctly, wash your hands as often as possible for at least 20 seconds, and have a tiny sanitizer with you in case hand soap isn't available. If your mask is washable, you might try laundry it when you arrive home.
Having a Good Time at Home
At home, New Year's Eve may be a lot of fun. Come up with some exciting New Year's Eve celebration ideas with your friends to make your day and evening more special. During the epidemic, only celebrating with individuals you live with poses the lowest danger.
New Year's Eve Driving Safety
Driving under the influence might increase the number of vehicle crashes on New Year's Eve. If you decide to drive/ride yourself home:
The later it gets in the evening, the higher incidence of drunk driving related accidents.
DO NOT SPEED. Stay alert at all times, You might not be drunk, but others might.
If you do drive or ride home, let someone know you are heading home, and keep them posted when you arrive home safely.
Never drink and drive.
If in doubt about your own ability to drive, have a sober friend take you home, or take other safe means of transportation home.
Drive extra carefully when heading home and leave extra space between you and other cars just to be safe.
Keep the Essentials with You
Because you could wind up spending the night someplace else, carry any medication, contacts, glasses, or other nighttime necessities with you. Having sanitizer and a mask on hand is also essential during a pandemic.
Make Certain You Eat
Whether you want to consume alcohol or not, it is important that you have a nutritious meal before going out for the evening. Eating causes alcohol to go more slowly through your system. Eating also makes you feel more at ease, even if there isn't food that suits you at the gathering.
Make a Plan with Your Family and Friends
On New Year's Eve, members of the same family may separate and attend separate gatherings. Make sure everyone understands how to contact one another and that you all have a strategy in place. New Year's Eve may be a busy occasion with several activities happening on the same evening, so make sure to keep track of each other to ensure that everyone gets home safely.
How Do You Prepare for New Year's Eve?
The first step in preparing for New Year's Eve is determining how you want to celebrate. Know that there are things you can do to prepare whether you spend the holiday alone or with company.
Consider your risk for contracting COVID-19 when making plans.
If hosting an event, find ways to lower the risk of spreading infection.
If preparing food for an event, make sure to follow food safety guidelines.
Serve alcohol responsibly and make sure guests are safely able to head home.
Is it OK to stay at home on New Year's Eve?
It is quite OK to stay at home on New Year's Eve, and it may even reduce your holiday stress. Keeping New Year's simple and remaining at home is a prudent decision, especially with COVID-19 still affecting people all over the world.
What Should I Do on New Year's Eve by Myself? If you are spending New Year's Eve alone, you have several possibilities for celebrating:
Write down meaningful resolutions
Journal about your previous year and what you feel proud of
Binge watch your favorite movie or tv shows
Order in your favorite meal or dessert
Cook and/or bake yourself something special
Read a good book
Facetime with loved ones
Practice self-care
It is really up to you to do whatever feels best for yourself. You can choose to celebrate the holiday or treat it like any other day of the year.
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