Rich Shea can’t remember the last time he attended a New Year’s Eve party as a guest. As president of Big Night America, an organization that hosts New Year’s Eve galas and other celebrations for thousands of people around the country, his job is to throw the party — and sweat the details. “I’m getting paid for doing the worrying,” says Shea, who will be at Big Night America’s San Diego event when the clock strikes midnight this year.
But partiers should shoulder some of the burden, too. After all, it’s hard to celebrate if you feel unsafe or unwell. “Take responsibility for yourself, and also for the folks you encounter, whether they’re friends, family or strangers,” says Reid Meloy, a San Diego-based forensic psychologist and coauthor of “The International Handbook of Threat Assessment.” Here’s how:
1. Choose wisely.
Not all New Year’s Eve parties are created equal. Vet your options by seeking those hosted by companies with experience and at venues with good reputations, suggests Shea, whose organization partners with well-known hotels for its New Year’s events. “They wouldn’t have us back if it hadn’t gone smoothly before,” he points out. And don’t be turned off by a ticket: It can mean organizers know who’s coming and can prevent overcrowding. “It’s less of a threat,” Shea says, “because everyone’s paying a good amount of money to be in there.”
[See: 8 Resolutions Health Experts Want You to Make.]
2. Scout your surroundings.
As the warehouse fire in Oakland tragically revealed, a venue’s layout is critically important to partygoers’ safety, too. Make sure your fete’s site has plenty of exits, multiple rooms (a mix of places to talk quietly and dance to a loud band, for example, can help prevent people from feeling trapped, Shea says) and multiple stairways if there’s more than one level. “Places that are fire traps and fire hazards often look like they are fire traps and fire hazards,” says Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. If your eyes tell you to leave, he adds, listen.
3. Dress appropriately.
High heels may be part of your annual New Year’s Eve uniform, but if you’re going somewhere outdoors (say, New York City’s Time Square or an outdoor concert), or are even anticipating a significant walk from the car to the event, flat, closed-toed shoes are your best bet, Benjamin says. “If you have to move quickly or run or get away, or if you have to go through an area where there are hazards like glass and tree trunks, people do better in closed-toed shoes,” he says. Check the weather before you depart, too; there’s nothing fun about standing in cold rain for hours with nowhere to warm up, Benjamin points out. “Things like that often don’t get thought about,” he says. “People just get up and go.”
4. Come prepared.
What you put in your body and carry with you before departing is important to think through, too. Will you need to take medications during the hours you’re gone? Do you need to take them with food and water? Even if you’re medication-free, sufficient pre-party hydration is important for everyone. “Access to liquids and even water is sometimes limited at large events,” says Benjamin, who also suggests tossing hand-sanitizer in your bag or pocket in case bathrooms aren’t sufficiently equipped. “There’s an infection risk with that,” he says. “It’s small, but it’s certainly a risk you want to deal with.”
5. Self-regulate.
Shea understands the logic: If your hefty ticket price covers an open bar, you want to get your money’s worth. But remember: There are plenty of hours until midnight and a well-run event, at least, is unlikely to run out of alcohol. “The key is moderation and pacing yourself,” says Shea, who also recommends eating a solid meal before imbibing. It’s also important to be honest with yourself, Meloy adds. “If you’re going to consume alcohol or drugs, know your reactions,” he says. “If you tend to get belligerent when you drink, it’s probably not a good idea to drink.”
[See: 7 Health Risks of Binge Drinking You Can’t Ignore.]
6. Be patient.
Know those people who stop at the base of an escalator to check their phones? Don’t be one of them, Shea advises. But don’t expect to move fast through a crowd, either. “Relax and go with the crowd, and you can eventually go through,” he says. “Just like driving, you’ve got to pay attention to what other people are doing. Some patience goes a long way.”
7. Be aware.
“If you see something, say something” is a catchphrase worth taking seriously, Meloy says. “Look for anomalies in the environment,” he says, such as behaviors that seem threatening or abusive. “Do not hesitate to take care of your own safety immediately, and then to also alert someone who can intervene.” Noticing such anomalies, as well as protecting yourself from becoming a crime victim, means keeping your head up — not locked in on your smartphone, Meloy adds. “Individuals who are planning on some criminal activity like a mugging or robbery, they’re looking for people who appear vulnerable,” he says. “One vulnerability they look for is an absence of situational awareness.”
8. Make a transportation plan.
While terrorism and mass violence may feel like a big threat, you’re far more likely to be harmed by booze-infused dangers, Meloy says. “The biggest safety risk for people are automobile accidents and the combination of that with alcohol,” he says. In addition to practicing moderation, be sure you have a safe transportation plan ahead of time, keeping in mind that some roads may be closed and cabs booked. Some party throwers partner with services like Uber and Lyft, which are worth taking advantage of, Shea says. “It’s a worry-free evening when you do things like that,” he says. “It makes a lot of sense.”
[See: 9 Reasons It Rocks to Be the DD.]
9. Have fun.
Having fun isn’t just the whole point, but it’s good for your health and safety. For example, partying with friends you know and trust helps ensure you’ll all get there and back safely, while being compassionate toward strangers might mean pointing out a drink that seems sketchy. “Having a good attitude going in is a big thing,” Shea says. “It really makes it a good experience for everyone.”
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9 Ways to Stay Safe at a Huge New Year’s Eve Party originally appeared on usnews.com
