Avoid putting yourself at risk during a night out – plan ahead.
It’s 2am. The party has just finished. You had a great time, but now it’s freezing cold and your feet are killing you. All you can think of is being home in bed and there’s not a taxi in sight. You’d call one but your mobile’s dead and your friend left a couple of hours ago with her boyfriend...
Leaving things to chance, like getting home safely, can put you at serious risk. There are some simple things you can do to ensure you stay safe and make the most of your night out.
Eating a good meal
The biggest drinking ‘crime’ for anyone is drinking too much, too quickly and doing this on an empty stomach! This might be because you don’t have time or you’re ‘saving up the calories’ for your night out but drinking on an empty stomach means the levels of alcohol in your blood will go up more quickly, which can cause harm.
If you haven’t been able to eat before you go out, buy some food on the way, or better still get some friends or colleagues together and go for a meal.
Enjoying a drink
If you are planning on having a drink one of the best ways to look after yourself, and make sure your night is mishap free, is to stay in control of your drinking. First of all, set yourself an upper limit and make a clear decision to stick to it.
Avoiding drinking in rounds is one way to do this. This puts you under pressure to keep up with the fastest drinker. You’ll end up drinking – and spending – more. Remember, it’s up to you what you drink, not anyone else.
Who’s watching your drink?
Most nights out will go by with nothing more serious than a spilt drink or a lost cloakroom ticket. However it’s really important to keep an eye on your drink and your friends drinks, as it only takes a few seconds for someone to drop something in a glass or a bottle. If you need to nip to the toilet or outside for a cigarette leave your drink with a friend.
You can also contact us and we’ll send you some ‘spikeys’, which you can put in the neck of your bottle so you can still drink out of it but nothing can be dropped into it.
Planned your night out for ages, thought about getting home?
Apart from deciding your drink limit for the evening, one of the main decisions you should make before you go out is how you are going to get home safely.
Tips on travelling safely after a night out
- Book a taxi before you go out. And take their contact number with you. You can always rearrange the time you want to be picked up.
- Make sure you have minicab numbers in your phone (or details of the nearest taxi rank) and enough money to pay for your journey.
- Use a firm that will text you the number plate of the car that’s coming to get you. This avoids any confusion of what car to get into.
- Do not be tempted, under any circumstances, to take an unlicensed minicab. All minicabs must be pre-booked. Only licensed taxis can pull up at the kerb – any minicabs that do this are acting illegally.
- Make sure your phone is charged before you go out.
- Keep some money separate to your purse or wallet – in your coat or pocket.
- Stick with your friends. Don’t wander off on your own at the end of the night, and wherever possible, go home together.
- If you’re travelling home by public transport, find out the times of the buses/trains so you’re not waiting about too long at the station/bus stop or miss the last one altogether.
- Stay alert and don’t fall asleep – this will be easier if you’re not drunk.
You can also contact us and we can send you a small personal alarm which you can attach to your keys. They’re discreet but sound a loud alarm to both scare people off and draw attention if you feel like you need help.
Walk away from trouble
Don’t be drawn into problems or arguments; all it will do is ruin your fun. The smart thing to do is just walk away and continue with your great night out.
If you feel like you’re being drawn into a difficult situation walk away and speak to the staff or doormen. If you feel like you are in danger, go somewhere you feel safe, where there are lots of people around. If you still don’t feel safe or you run into trouble, call the police.
Unwanted gifts
You can’t tell if someone has an STI by looking at them so don’t get carried away in the heat of the moment. Always protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy by using a condom.