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Party Safety Tips

If your social calendar is filled with various parties and events with friends, then take a look at some of the safety tips and advice below to help you to stay safe whilst having fun.

At parties, you're likely to find alcohol available. Many of us like a drink or two at a party, but remember that alcohol will make you more relaxed and could affect your judgment – don’t let it endanger your personal safety. Research shows that people who have been drinking are more at risk of being the victim (and perpetrator) of attacks, robberies, muggings and sexual assaults.

Party planning

Before you head out to your party, think about the following:

• Plan your journey home
  Make sure you know how you're getting home after the party (especially if you're going to a location you're not familiar with). Try the Transport for London Journey Planner to plan your route if you'll be using public transport. Alternatively, perhaps you can arrange to travel home together with your friends and stay at their place overnight; or book a licensed minicab to take you safely home - phone Cabwise or your local licensed minicab company.
• Let someone know where you are going and when you’ll be home if possible
  Tell your parents, friends or housemates where you'll be going as a safety precaution in case they need to find you.
• Eat something before you drink
  If you're planning on having alcohol at the party, then make sure you have something to eat beforehand. Food slows down the rate alcohol gets absorbed into your bloodstream. It also gives you more energy and lessens the effects the next day.

Smarter drinking

Enjoy yourself more by being sensible about what you drink and how much:

• Try not to drink in ‘rounds’
  If you and your friends all take turns in buying each other a round of drinks, you could end up drinking more than you think you have or planned to have (especially if you have a lot of friends!).
• Try to pace yourself and avoid binge drinking
  Set yourself a limit before you head out and then try to stick to it as far as possible.
• Don’t mix alcohol and drugs
  Alcohol is a drug and taking it with other drugs (including prescription medicines) can have unpredictable and undesirable effects.
• Try to avoid ‘top up’ drinks
  Avoid drinks like wine (where your glass can be refilled several times) so that you can keep track of how much you have drunk.
• Beware 'spiked' drinks
  There is a lot said about the dangers of drinks being spiked with drugs. However, the reality is that alcohol alone is far more likely to put you at risk.

More information

There's related information about several of the above tips available here on YoungLivin'. Follow the links below.