How To Stay Safe on New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia

It’s a couple of days after Christmas and New Year’s Eve is coming up. You and your family, friends, and other loved ones are ready to celebrate the new year. You have plans to go out into the city of Philadelphia for all the festivities. However, you want to be extra cautious, as you have heard all the horror stories that come with the liveliness of celebrations.

While New Year’s Eve is a fun, exciting, and memorable experience, staying safe is the biggest priority. Here is a guide of tips on how to stay safe in Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve.

1) Prepare and Plan Your Transportation

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year in Philadelphia. Traffic is inevitable and getting around with a car can be very challenging. To prevent yourself from being caught in traffic, limit stress, and prevent the chance of a personal car accident, use services such as:

• Use SEPTA: Philadelphia’s public transit system has extended hours during the New Year’s times.

• Uber, Lyft, or Taxi: Rideshare services can be very in demand during the night of New Year’s Eve. Plan ahead regarding arranging the services such as pick-up points, reserving a driver, or leaving at a less busy time.

• Designated Driver: Have someone sober drive

2) Drink Responsibly

Drinking alcohol is a huge part of ringing in the New Year. However, overdrinking can lead to alcohol poisoning and other dangerous situations. According to Jeff Rosenbaum, a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer, many injuries and accidents on New Year’s come from alcohol-related instances. Pacing yourself, watching your drink, and knowing your limit will be essential to know. It is crucial to know these things too.

Pacing yourself and knowing your limit allows you to stay hydrated while also avoiding the risk of alcohol poisoning. Watching your drink will prevent spiked drink tampering and any unwanted drugs in it, especially if you are going out to a party at a bar, club, or a big social gathering.

Avoid driving impaired as well too. Drunk driving is a leading cause of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on New Year’s Eve. Having a designated driver, or using ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft is essential to avoid these accidents that involve alcohol. Using SEPTA’s extended hours of holiday service for transportation is a great, cheaper option as well.

3) Stay Warm and Dress Appropriately

The winters in Philadelphia are rugged and can be very unpredictable. In the late December and early January times, the temperatures drastically decrease, especially at night. Make sure to dress accordingly and wear the appropriate attire to avoid the effects of the cold weather. Staying out in the colder and more extreme Philadelphia weather can lead to hypothermia.

4) Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Philadelphia is a beautiful city, especially for the holidays. However, every city does impose its risks of safety. If planning to go out in Philadelphia, be aware of your surroundings. Travel in bigger groups with your friends and family, especially in areas that you are unfamiliar with.

At night, stay around well-lit areas. Many crimes, such as robbery, assault and battery, happen in the dark. In those well-lit areas, make sure that they are well-populated. If you are celebrating the festivities in bigger crowds, for example, such as Penn’s Landing, make sure you watch out for pickpockets. Pickpockets steal phones, wallets, keys, and any other personal belongings.

With wallets being stolen, personal identities are too. Thieves can use these stolen identities to their advantage. Bringing a crossbody bag or a secure bag will limit the chance of your belongings getting stolen.

5) Emergency Preparation

If something goes wrong and needs the Philadelphia police, emergency personnel, and first responders, make sure you have the necessary numbers saved. The non-emergency number for the Philadelphia Police Department to contact is 311, but in the case of an emergency, call 911. In the case that you or a loved one needs to be seen by a healthcare provider or go to a hospital, make sure you research to know which hospitals are located within your vicinity.

6) Stay Safe During Your Philadelphia New Year’s Eve Celebration

Philadelphia is a great city to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The holiday festivities call for a fun and memorable time. To have a fun and memorable time, however, safety must be the biggest priority. By planning your transportation, drinking responsibly, staying aware of your surroundings, and dressing appropriately for the cold, you can enjoy the celebrations safely.

Additionally, being prepared for emergencies and knowing where to get help can give you peace of mind in the event something goes wrong. With these tips, you can ring in the New Year in Philadelphia safely and responsibly.