YOUR HEALTH: Keep Holiday Drinking In Check

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The holidays are a great time to spend with friends and family, but there’s always the temptation to have a little too much fun.

Statistics show there’s a significant increase in alcohol-related accidents.

According to the advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 58% of highway deaths around the New Year are alcohol related. And on average, 1,200 people die in alcohol-related accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

To have fun and stay safe, keep these tips from 21st Century Insurance in mind:

  • Have a designated driver. It's one of the simplest rules to follow, but also one of the most effective in keeping people safe on the roads.

  • Have cab numbers on hand. If someone should not be driving and they insist on going home, call a cab for them instead of allowing them to take the risk of driving home. Or be sure to have ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft on your phone if you need them.

  • Offer plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. While many guests may want to enjoy the holidays with an alcoholic drink, offer non-alcoholic drinks as an option.

  • Offer food if you're offering alcohol. Drinking on an empty stomach can cause a person to become intoxicated faster. Offering food along with drinks may help prevent guests from over-indulging on alcohol alone.

 

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