Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Halloween Safety for College Students

Above image: Collegeville masks from 1981 (via Plaid Stallions).

Halloween is a good time to have fun, but since it's on a Wednesday this year, we've got some tips for you to follow to make sure you can get to work/school the next day. Not to be a buzz kill, but we don't want to see you in the clinic on November 1st for a Halloween related accident, and we really don't want you to end up in the hospital. 

1. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! This is a no brainer, so don't get behind the wheel drunk or get into a car with a drunk driver. Even if your friend says they are okay to drive, call a cab or find a designated driver. Getting a cab is much cheaper than getting a ticket. Robert DeBry & Associates offers cab ride reimbursement on holidays! You can learn more about that here. http://www.robertdebry.com/free-ride.php It's also a good idea to drive extra cautiously to watch for trick-or-treaters. 

2. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. If you are going to drink, don't over do it. Know your limits, if you can't stand or you're seeing double, that's probably a good indicator that you should stop.  Trying to keep track of how many drinks you've had is also a good way to find out what your limits are. It is recommended that you drink no more than one drink per hour. And remember, don't drink on an empty stomach and make sure you drink plenty of water. 

3. MAKE SURE YOUR COSTUME IS FUNCTIONAL. Don't wear heels if you can't walk in heels. Be sure that you wan walk in your costume with out tripping or falling. Make sure you can breathe and see if you're wearing a mask. Try out your face-paint or make-up on a small area of skin before applying it to your whole face to avoid getting an unsightly rash.