[Background Index] [Media Relations] [Home]
December 7, 1994
Sheriff Hathaway Offers New Year's Holiday Safety Tips
For Caddo Parish residents, as for adults across the nation, New Year's Eve is a joyous and festive event. Parties and get-togethers abound, and people celebrate with good food and good cheer. But too much "cheery" alcoholic beverages can lead to a tragic alcohol-related traffic accident when the party is over and guests and family drive home.
Despite these grim facts, New Year's is also a time for resolutions to improve in the coming year. "You can help reduce traffic accident statistic," stated Sheriff Hathaway. "Promote the designated driver program, respect each designated driver and don't let friends drive drunk." He also offers the following tips for safer get-togethers throughout the year:
ALWAYS SERVE FOOD IF YOU SERVE ALCOHOL: High protein and carbohydrate foods like cheese and meats slow the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol.
SERVE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Designated drivers of course require other types of beverages, and all guests should have the option not to drink alcohol.
DON'T LET PEOPLE MIX THEIR OWN DRINKS: Tending bar yourself or hiring a bartender lets you control the amount of alcohol in each drink. Use smaller glasses for beer or wine. Never force drinks on your guests, some may accept merely to avoid seeming rude.
STOP SERVING ALCOHOL ABOUT TWO HOURS BEFORE THE PARTY ENDS: Serve guests coffee, non-alcoholic drinks and more food. This will give their bodies time to absorb alcohol consumed. If a guest has had too much to drink, offer to pay for a cab ride home or have the guest spend the night.
The Sheriff recommends that every person makes following these simple procedures a part of their New Year's resolutions, so that 1994 can be a year in which all parties end happily.
Sheriff Hathaway asks us to remember that the party is not over until each guest returns home safely.