Celebrate Safely

This weekend we can all look forward to an extended break to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This will give us plenty of time to unwind, relax, do some of those household chores - and take part in the many celebratory barbeques and street parties.

Street parties and barbecues will be great fun but, inevitably, drinking is likely to be involved and this can lead to trips, falls and other accidents. Alcohol impairs your judgement, and also acts as a diuretic so can leave you dehydrated, causing nausea and muscle aches.

Alcohol is the biggest single cause of accidents in the home(1) with 2.7 million home accidents requiring hospital treatment each year(2). When you have been drinking, not only is the likelihood of you having an accident increased, but the seriousness of your injury is likely to be greater than when sober.

 Follow this advice, and help to avoid injury this weekend (and reduce the hangover!):

• Stick to the Government's recommended unit guidelines (2-3 units per day for a woman and 3-4 units per day for a man).  For more information on units and responsible drinking visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
• Make sure you drink plenty of water – before, after and whilst consuming alcohol and always eat a meal before drinking.
• Keep steady on your feet by wearing sensible shoes.
• Don’t attempt any task that may be affected by your impaired state; DIY, or gardening for example.
• If you injure yourself, make sure you give the full and accurate background to whichever medical professional you seek help from; it could make a lot of difference to the diagnosis and treatment.

1.  Consumer & Competition Policy Directorate. 2002 ‘Research on the proportion of home accidents involving product fault or contributory behaviour’ p 28.

2.  ROSPA Home Safety Facts and Figures http://www.rospa.com/homesafety/adviceandinformation/general/facts-figures.aspx

---