How To Stay Safe During Weekend Parties by Paisley Hansen

Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash

Whether you have a job or are still in college, the weekend can be a great time to get together with friends to have some fun and relieve some stress. However, you should never let yourself loose so completely that you ignore or forget about basic safety measures. Otherwise, a fun time can quickly turn into a tragedy. Here are some things to keep in mind the next time you go out to a party on the weekend.

Find a Ride Home

You should never get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle if you have been drinking. Small amounts of alcohol can impair your driving even if your blood alcohol level is below the legal limit. If you cause an accident in a state of intoxication, you may need the services of a Seattle criminal defense lawyer, assuming that you make it home in one piece.

One option is to designate a driver in your group who agrees not to drink so he can drive the rest of the group home. Another option is to call a cab or use a ride-hailing service to pick you up and take you home. Whatever option you choose, you should decide before the party starts so you know what the plan is.

Avoid Illegal Drugs

Certain substances are illegal for a good reason. They are unsafe to use in any amounts. Therefore, it is best to avoid them at a party. Try to avoid the room where people are taking them, if possible. It might be better not to go to a party where illicit drugs are being taken in the first place, but that may not always be practical.

Go With a Group

It is not only more fun to go to a party with a group, it is also safer. When you go with a group, everyone can help watch out for each other and keep one another out of trouble. You don’t have to be joined at the hip to your buddies all night, but you should keep track of them throughout the party, and they should keep tabs on you.

Pace Yourself

Drinking too much alcohol, too quickly, is dangerous to your health. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down your body systems. It is also a toxin that can cause your brain to shut down if the level in your blood is too high. Enjoy drinks in moderation, and you’ll probably end up having a better time and wake up able to remember it the next day.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Alcohol and heightened emotions can sometimes cause people to become violent or aggressive. Be aware of the general feeling in the room and your own emotions. If people are getting rowdy, or you feel yourself getting aggravated, leave the situation as soon as possible and get to safety.

Watch Your Cup

If you leave your cup unattended, someone could slip something in it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on it or get a new one when there is doubt. You may think that no one would slip roofies to a guy, and maybe you’re right, but why take the chance when you don’t have to?

Set Limits for Yourself

Under the influence of alcohol, people sometimes challenge one another to do stupid stunts, often getting hurt in the process. Don’t give into peer pressure. You don’t have to prove how tough or cool or brave you are to anyone else. You’re an adult; act like it. The right people will respect you for it, the other ones aren’t worth worrying about.

None of this means that you have to refrain from alcohol or be a stick in the mud. You are allowed to have fun. Just practice a little common sense beforehand and a baseline level of self-control at the party itself. The ancient Greeks invented fraternities, so they certainly knew how to party, but they also said, „Moderation in all things.“ If you adopt that as your guiding principle, you can continue to have fun at parties for many years to come.