With the big kick off to the New Year tonight, Family Medical Walk-In Clinic wants to ensure everyone has a wonderful New Years Eve but yet a safe one.
We have provided a few preventative and helpful tips for the big night:

According to John C. Wolf, whom is a Professor of Family Medicine at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, says it takes the average person one to two hours to eliminate the typical alcoholic drink, such as an ounce of distilled liquor, a bottle of beer or a glass of wine.

Did you know December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention month?!  Read more @: http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Impaired_Driving/3d.html

Tips:

• DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE
• Plan ahead: have a designated driver, especially if you plan on going to multiple parties
• When you get to your destination be aware of your surroundings, the people who you are with, whom you meet, etc.
• Locate all the possible exits (in case of an emergency)
• Don’t accept any beverages from someone you don’t know
• Don’t leave your drink unattended
• Recognize how much alcohol your ingesting (beer & wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor)
• Drink water or non alcoholic beverages
• Eat finger foods and snacks throughout the night
• If you are feeling tired and are going to drive home, ask for a warm cup of tea or coffee about an hour before you leave the party
• NEVER leave a party with someone you don’t know

Alternatives:

• Public Transportation (city bus, taxi, etc.)
• If you are traveling, make arrangements with your hotel or a cab company to pick you up at a designated time
• Begin drinking water about 2 hours before you leave a party if you have had any alcoholic beverages

**Only you can keep yourself safe, but with a few precautions you may be able to keep others safe as well**

If for some reason you may need urgent care services Family Medical Walk-In Clinics South Campbell location will be open on New Years Eve until 11pm. and will reopen at 7am. on New Years day.

We wish everyone a very safe and healthy start to the new year and decade!!!!

Sources:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-31-2004-63608.asp

http://www.familymedicinenews.org/archives/2001/2526(FM).html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1290075/new_years_eve_safety_tips_advise_and_pg5.html?cat=25

http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Impaired_Driving/3d.html