Summertime is coming to an end quickly! And with the summer comes tons of pool parties, barbecues, and late night bonfires. But when people plan these celebrations of the sun, most don’t think about the consequences and dangers involved. While parties in the summer can be some of the most fun, they can also come with the most danger and risks, both for those throwing the party and those enjoying it. So here are some tips to help you have a fun and safe summer!
1.) Be careful with drinking
While the summer offers plenty of fun its important to remember to be careful when drinking in the sun. Being out in the hot sun during the day can dehydrate you a lot faster than you normally would inside. But guzzling alcoholic drinks will not help to quench your thirst. In fact, it will only make you more dehydrated. This is because the alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means that we lose more fluids than we normally would just sweating under the sun. Dehydration can cause headaches, weakness, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and in extreme cases people can get heat stroke. Also, people will be affected by alcohol more when they are in the sun because of that dehydration.
So, what’s the best way to prevent this? Theres so many options. First, and most obvious, is to watch how much you drink. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to drink as much when you are out in the sun as you would normally. You should also be sure to eat while you drink and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, in between, and after drinks. Also, be sure to take some time and go inside to cool off if you are feeling any symptoms of dehydration. 2.) Don’t Drink and Drive!
2.) Don’t Drink and Drive!
Summer is often when drunk driving is at an alltime high, especially during holiday weekends, like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Because you get more dehydrated, and, therefore, more intoxicated when you drink alcohol in the sun, you may be impaired and unable to drive after less drinks than you normally would. Therefore, if you feel that there is a chance you are over the limit, don’t take the chance. Get a (sober) friend to take you home, call an Uber or lyft, or just spend the night. Don’t take the risk of drunk driving, not only because there is the chance that you may get caught, but also for the safety of you and other people on the road.
3.) Be Aware of Your Liability
When you allow people over and let them drink at your residence, it also gives you a certain amount of liability. If anyone under the age of 21 is discovered drinking alcohol, the person throwing the party will also be held responsible for providing the alcohol to a minor. You will not only become liable for minors, but also responsible for the actions of anyone who leaves the party intoxicated. This means that if they drive drunk and hurt someone as a result you could be held liable. To prevent this be sure that you are aware of the ages of your friends and try to keep anyone from getting too drunk. If someone does, provide them alternate transportation or allow them to stay over until they are sober enough to drive. You should check your homeowners or renters insurance to see if it provides liability coverage.
Keep in mind these tips when planning parties and you will save yourself a lot of trouble so that you can have a fun and safe summer!