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By Nancy Reid, HealthAtoZ writer
America's number-one party night is almost here. Not to dampen your holiday spirit (it is your last chance to whoop it up before tending to those New Year's resolutions), but the point is to see in the New Year. That means surviving the Eve.
Alcohol is the common thread in deadly New Year's Eve partying. Young people are especially at risk. Alcohol-related highway crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and the young - but no one is immune. There is one alcohol-related death every 31 minutes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The agency offers these tips to party throwers:
- Avoid making alcohol the main focus of social events. Entertain guests with music, dancing, games, food and conversation.
- Offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage choices, including sparkling water, fancy juice drinks, soft drinks and bottled water.
- Provide guests with nutritious and appealing foods to slow the effects of alcohol. High-protein and high-carbohydrate foods - such as cheese and meat - are great. Avoid salty foods, which encourage people to drink more.
- Stop serving drinks at least an hour before the end of the event. Instead, serve coffee, non-alcoholic beverages and desserts.
- Before the party, recruit people who won't be drinking to help make sure your guests get home safely.
- Don't let anyone who has been drinking drive. Offer your guest room or couch for the night, call a cab or ask someone else to drive your guest home. If the drinker insists on driving, take the keys or temporarily disable the car. If all else fails, say you will call the police (and follow through if you have to).
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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