It’s almost time for the new year, which means it’s almost time for tamales, champagne, and partying with friends and family! We are totally down with ringing in the new year in the most fun way possible, but we’re also bringing you some safe (and fun!) ways to welcome 2020 without having to visit the emergency room.
Plan a Calm and Thoughtful Night
If you’ve already sat down and figured out your New Year’s resolutions, you probably didn’t put “spend more time and money on accidents!” Maybe you put “be more mindful” or “spend my time more wisely” instead. Well, it’s possible to plan a safe and fun December 31st that aligns with your goals without being labeled a “dud” by your buddies. You can start with planning a night of reflection and thoughtfulness. Look back at 2019 and figure out what worked, what didn’t, and what you could have done better. If you really want to go all out on your New Year’s Eve Mindfulness Celebration, create a fun little game with notecards, vision boards, and inspirational quotes that will motivate you to really start January 1, 2020 on the right step. Keep our Umbrella and Excess Liability Coverage in mind during your shindig, because as long as you’re hosting at your house, you’ll never have to worry about coverage if a guest is injured at your home. Even if your guest hires legal help after an injury, your extra blanket of coverage will help cover the fees that you and your family would normally be held responsible for.
Stick to One Party
We all know that alcohol is culturally a primary way of celebrating the New Year, which means even though you’re being responsible, there could be a highway full of irresponsible folks who didn’t plan as well as you did. If possible, pick a party and stick to it. Avoid driving around all night and party-hopping, and you’ll inadvertently avoid drunk drivers. We hope more people are using carpooling services like UBER or Lyft, but in case they’re not, keep your chips and dip at one location and party with your really good friends all night long. They deserve your time anyway for being your #1 crew, right? Before you get behind the wheel, ask yourself if you’d drive under your circumstances if you had a class full of kindergarteners in your backseat.
Try a Few Mocktails and Pace Yourself
Won’t it be so nice to share stories with your family, reflect on the good times, and then have the ability to recall and remember those good times the next morning? We’re at the time of our lives where having too good of a time can be downright painful the next morning, so pace yourself on the alcoholic fun, if you choose to drink at all. Enjoy a cocktail, but insert a nice mocktail or bottle of water in between your drinks. Luckily, you’ll likely be surrounded by good food as well, so take a break from your cocktail and enjoy some food to fill your stomach with substance, versus just alcoholic treats.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled and Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Look, we know it’s meant to be a fun night, but most importantly, the safest thing you can do no matter how you choose to party is to be aware of your surroundings and keep your eyes open to anything amiss. If you’re hanging out with a friend who has definitely enjoyed their night more than others, don’t let them hop into their car, even if their intended destination is just around the corner. If you are at a party with more strangers than friends, don’t put yourself in a vulnerable situation where crimes like robbery or assault are more likely to happen. If you are the designated driver for the evening, drive defensively and keep away from swerving or unsteady cars on the road. Of course, the safest option is to stay home and enjoy the company of your loved ones, made even easier when you’re covered by one of our homeowners insurance policies. Should any minor injury or accident happen to someone while they’re at your house party, you’ll be able to submit injury-related medical expenses to your insurance carrier, saving you potentially thousands in the long run.
The accident rate on New Year’s Eve runs 70% higher than any other night of the year, which is scary enough to make us want to spend the night cuddled up on the couch watching Netflix, but if you choose to party, just be safe and follow these simple tips to having the best 2020 you can!
In case you missed it: “Our Favorite Holiday Recipes You NEED to Try This Christmas” shares some of the most special recipes from our family kitchen that could definitely be adapted for your New Year’s celebration. Speaking of family, if you’re looking to start your new year with the best-of-the-best insurance company who will take care of you like one of our own, give us a call, send an email, or even contact us here so that we can plan your best future right along with you. Happy New Year, future and present SOGO family!
