New Year’s Eve is a time to gather with friends, family, and others that are important in your life. It is a time to celebrate the going out of the old and the coming in of the new. Drinking, eating, and general merriment and reveling are part of this tradition, and it is certainly right that you relax and indulge in the pleasures of such a festive night. But you should not do so at the expense of your safety.
The thirty-first of December is filled with risks for individuals everywhere. And you should keep vigilant and aware of where you and what occurs around you. Here are some specific things to be aware of as you join in the festivities of the evening.
New York City is one of the top destinations for New Year’s Eve celebrations. People from all over the country and all over the world descend on the city to enjoy the annual show that is put on in Times Square. You and your fellow New Yorkers will be familiar enough with your surroundings to navigate the city by foot. Strangers will not be as comfortable. A combination of drinking, disorientation, or natural aggressiveness may lead some tourists to act out in ways they otherwise would not. You should be wary of large groups of intoxicated individuals. You should also try to stay in lighted areas and amongst large crowds if possible.
Late December is the official start of winter. With that come snow, sleet, and ice. As you will be walking a great deal on New Year’s Eve, you should stay up to speed on weather conditions leading up to the big night. Icy sidewalks are hard to spot at night. You are more likely to be alert if you know to expect such conditions.
Everywhere that you go is likely to be crowded. Many of the newest clubs, bars, and restaurants in the city may not yet know of all the safety hazards present in their establishments. You should be wary of loose banisters, unsecure flooring, and anything else that doesn’t look safe. You may just happen to walk into a place that has never hosted as many people as it does on New Year’s Eve. The wear and tear may have loosened objects or fixtures that put you at risk.
Be relaxed, be enjoyable, but be safe on New Year’s Eve.
At Levine And Wiss, our New York personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping individuals who have been harmed during the holiday and New Year season. We’re here when you need to seek compensation for the injuries you have sustained.
