New Year’s Eve safety tips

New Year’s Eve can involve late-night travel, crowded events, winter weather and loud celebrations. A few steps before the countdown may help reduce common risks at home and away.

New Year’s Eve safety checklist

Use this quick checklist to plan for common safety concerns before, during and after your celebration.

New Year’s Eve driving safety tips

Alcohol-impaired driving remains a leading factor in fatal traffic crashes, especially during the holiday season, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) holiday impaired-driving guidance. Decide how you’ll get home before drinking or using another impairing substance.

Consider these transportation steps:

• Choose a sober driver: To help prevent drinking and driving, choose a designated driver who won’t drink alcohol or use another impairing substance during the celebration.
• Arrange a backup ride: Check public transportation schedules or save information for a taxi, rideshare service or safe place to stay.
• Confirm your rideshare: Check that the driver’s photo, vehicle and license plate match the information in the app. Wait indoors or in a safe, well-lit location when possible.
• Buckle up: Wear a seat belt in your own vehicle, a taxi or a rideshare vehicle.
• Avoid distractions: Enter the destination before driving and put the phone away.
• Check road conditions: Allow more time for snow, ice, rain or poor visibility. Use another ride or delay the trip if conditions become unsafe.
• Leave the vehicle parked if needed: When you have been drinking, use a sober ride and retrieve the vehicle when you are rested and sober.

Before leaving a vehicle overnight, close the windows, lock the doors, take the keys and remove visible valuables. These car theft prevention tips provide more ways to help secure a parked vehicle. If the vehicle is stolen, report the theft promptly to law enforcement and your insurer.

New Year’s Eve party safety tips

Preparing your home before guests arrive may help reduce common party hazards:

• Clear walking areas: Remove cords, bags, decorations and other tripping hazards. Treat snow or ice on outdoor steps and sidewalks.
• Reduce fire risks: Consider these holiday fire safety tips, including watching food while it’s cooking, keeping candles away from decorations and extinguishing flames before leaving a room.
• Store household hazards: Put medications, cleaning products, sharp items and breakable objects where children and guests can’t easily reach them.
• Keep alcohol away from minors: Store alcohol where children and teens can’t access it.
• Offer food and drink options: Provide food, water and nonalcoholic drinks throughout the gathering, but do not rely on food to make an impaired guest safe to drive.
• Plan for guests’ transportation: Ask guests to choose a sober driver before the party or help them arrange another ride or a safe place to stay.

Do not rely on a set waiting period, coffee, food or a guest’s appearance to decide whether that person can drive. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s (NIAAA) holiday alcohol guidance explains that alcohol can affect coordination and judgment after the last drink and that only time helps the body process alcohol.

Stay safer when celebrating away from home

A simple plan may help your group respond if the venue is crowded or plans change:

• Share your plans: Tell someone you trust where you’re going, who you’ll be with and how you plan to get home.
• Choose a meeting place: Agree on a location where the group can reconnect if someone becomes separated.
• Charge your phone: Consider bringing a portable charger if you expect to be out late.
• Keep your drink with you: Do not leave a drink unattended or accept an open drink from someone you don’t know.
• Locate the exits: Notice the nearest exits when entering a crowded event.
• Carry only what you need: Keep your phone, identification and payment method in a secure location.
• Wait in a safe pickup area: Stay indoors or in a well-lit location until your ride arrives.

New Year’s Eve safety tips for families and teens

For younger children, consider these steps:

• Plan active supervision: Choose a responsible adult to watch children during the gathering, especially near stairs, exterior doors and cooking areas.
• Limit access to hazards: Keep alcohol, candles, medications, small decorations and fireworks out of reach.
• Create a calmer space: Set aside an area for games, movies or rest away from crowded rooms and loud noise.

New Year’s Eve often includes nighttime driving, which can present added risks for an inexperienced teen driver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that teen and young adult passengers increase crash risk for unsupervised teen drivers, with risk rising as more young passengers are added.

Parents and caregivers can consider these steps:

• Confirm the plans: Know where your teen will be, who will be there and whether a responsible adult will be present.
• Set check-in times: Agree on a curfew and times for your teen to call or text.
• Review state rules: Check your state’s graduated driver licensing restrictions for nighttime driving and passengers.
• Limit passengers: Consider stricter household passenger limits for a newly licensed driver, even when state law allows more.
• Remove distractions: Ask teen drivers to put phones away and limit loud music and distracting passenger activity.
• Require seat belts: Everyone in the vehicle should buckle up on each trip.
• Provide a backup ride: Let your teen know they can call you or another trusted adult if a driver has been drinking, using drugs or driving unsafely.
• Reduce location changes: Encourage teens to remain at the planned gathering instead of traveling between several parties.

These teen driver safety tips can help parents set household rules for nighttime driving, passengers and phone use.

New Year’s Eve fireworks safety

Attending a professional fireworks display may be safer than using fireworks at home. If consumer fireworks are legal in your area, follow the label instructions, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s guidance and these fireworks safety tips.

Consider these precautions:

• Keep young children away: Do not let young children handle or light fireworks, including sparklers.
• Check the product: Only use fireworks that are legal in your area and labeled for consumer use.
• Stay sober: Do not handle or light fireworks after drinking alcohol or using drugs.
• Keep water nearby: Have a garden hose or bucket of water ready in case of fire or another problem.
• Light one at a time: Move away quickly after lighting the fuse.
• Do not relight a dud: Wait at least 20 minutes, soak the device with water and then dispose of it.
• Protect people and property: Do not point or throw fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles or buildings.
• Clean up carefully: Soak used fireworks before placing them in the trash.

New Year’s Eve pet safety

Fireworks, party noise and frequent door openings may frighten pets or cause them to escape. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends preparing a quiet indoor space, securing doors and windows, keeping identification current and speaking with a veterinarian in advance when a pet has severe anxiety.

Consider these New Year’s Eve pet safety steps:

• Keep pets indoors: Ask guests to watch for pets near exterior doors.
• Prepare a quiet space: Include the pet’s bed, blanket, water and familiar toys.
• Mask outside noise: Close curtains and use soft music, a television or white noise.
• Update identification: Confirm that collar tags and microchip contact information are current.
• Remove party hazards: Keep alcohol, chocolate, medications, confetti, tinsel and balloons out of reach.
• Maintain the routine: Feed, walk and care for pets at their usual times when possible.
• Contact a veterinarian early: Ask about treatment options before the holiday if your pet has a history of severe noise anxiety. Give medication only as directed for that pet.

Insurance considerations before New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve plans may involve guests at home, late-night driving and a vehicle parked away from home. Consider reviewing your homeowners insurance coverage or renters insurance coverage, including personal liability and medical payments to others.

Drivers may also want to review comprehensive coverage, which may help pay for covered losses related to vehicle theft. Coverage depends on the circumstances, policy terms and selected coverages.

Coverage is subject to the policy’s terms, provisions, exclusions, conditions, applicable endorsements and deductibles. Contact a State Farm agent with questions about your policy or coverage options.

New Year’s Eve safety FAQs

What should you avoid on New Year’s Eve?

Avoid impaired driving, riding with an impaired driver, leaving cooking or candles unattended, handling fireworks after drinking and leaving drinks unattended at crowded events.

What should a host do if a guest has been drinking?

Help the guest arrange a sober driver, taxi, rideshare service or safe place to stay. Do not rely on coffee, food, a waiting period or the guest’s appearance to decide whether the guest can drive.

Is it safer to leave a car overnight than drive after drinking?

When the alternative is driving after drinking, leave the vehicle parked and arrange sober transportation. Retrieve it when you are rested and sober. Close the windows, lock the doors, take the keys and remove visible valuables.

How can I help my pet during New Year’s Eve fireworks?

Keep the pet indoors in a quiet, secure room and use soft music or white noise to mask outside sounds. Speak with a veterinarian before the holiday if the pet has severe anxiety.