December is Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving. If you’re drinking on New Year’s Eve, designate a sober driver ahead of time. If they become impaired, use mass transit, a cab or call someone else to drive you home. Establish a backup plan, like spending the night at the event location. Keep in mind that even a small amount of alcohol can impair your judgment, reaction time and ability to make sound decisions. Law enforcement trains to spot impaired drivers, so don’t risk significant jail time and jeopardize the safety of others. If you notice an impaired driver, report them to law enforcement immediately.

Celebrating with fireworks is one way to make the night sparkle, but a fun night can turn dangerous quickly if you don’t use caution. PSO advises checking local regulations before using fireworks and suggests attending public displays instead. Glow sticks, confetti poppers and streamers are also safe alternatives to fireworks. If you do light fireworks, ignite them in a large open space a safe distance away from buildings, people and wooden objects. Only light fireworks one at a time, maintain a safe distance after lighting and never attempt to relight any that fail to ignite. Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks and keep a water source nearby in case of fire mishaps. Douse used fireworks with water before discarding them to prevent trash fires.

Starting the new year with a bang should not include celebratory gunfire. Celebratory gunfire is very dangerous and illegal. Bullets fired into the air don’t just disappear; they can cause serious injuries or death to people and animals. Even those inside are at risk because the bullets can go through the roof or window. Your celebration shouldn’t hurt people. To limit the risk to others, consider celebrating New Year’s Eve with community firework displays and parades.

Loud noises from fireworks can scare pets, causing them to run away or get injured. Please be mindful of your furry friends and let neighbors know if you plan to set off fireworks. Pet owners should ensure their pets have updated identification tags, keep them inside and create a place to hide, such as a covered table or crate. Playing music or TV and closing curtains can help reduce noise and limit the visibility of flashes from fireworks. Fireworks and gunfire can also affect wildlife, so please refrain from celebrating near their habitats and pick up debris afterward.

Don’t wreck the new year with reckless driving. As people travel to and from locations to celebrate, please be patient with the extra traffic. Maintain a safe speed and slow down in residential areas. Look out for traffic signs and follow all road rules. Seemingly minor distractions behind the wheel often result in preventable incidents. Therefore, keeping your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and driving with a focused mind is essential. Finally, remember to lock your car at the end of the night to prevent auto burglaries or theft.