Monday, December 31, 2012

New Years Eve Safety tips

Great tips for New Years Eve Safety

If you are hosting a New Year's Eve party, following a few simple rules could prevent a tragedy:
  • Contact a local cab company to provide rides for your guests.
  • Serve non-alcoholic beverages as an option to your guests.
  • Stop serving alcohol to your guests several hours before the party ends.
  • Provide your guests with a place to stay overnight in your home.
South Coast Today gives these helpful tips:
  • Don’t let your guard down. Holidays, including New Year’s Eve, are not an excuse to throw caution to the wind. Be careful not to leave your drink unattended and don’t become intoxicated.
  • Stay in groups or use the buddy system – you are more likely to become a target if you are alone. Select a place to meet should you get separated, and check that your buddy got home safely at the end of the night.
  • Have a plan for how you will get home. Don’t find yourself stranded!
  • Don’t use the festive atmosphere as an excuse to do something you wouldn’t normally do or put yourself in an unsafe situation.
  • Ă˜hile out, be careful what you post online. Don’t alert others that you are not at home.
  • The beaten path is the better path. Don’t take short cuts and familiarize yourself with the area before heading out.
  • Take extra precautions. StreetSafeis a new mobile personal security system that uses your smart phone’s GPS technology to instantly connect to help before a situation turns into an emergency. Street Safe’s “Walk with Me” service offers a live connection to a professional Safety Advisor tokeep you safe when walking in unfamiliar or threatening surroundings and instant access to 911 if needed.

The UNITED STATES ARMY gives these following safety tips for New Years Eve Celebrations in this Dec 2011 article:

New Year's Eve is a night to have fun and celebrate the coming year. However, safety is a must when participating in the festivities. Whether you're staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or you're traveling to a party or city bash, following a few safety tips will ensure that you're safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the New Year!
 
Designate a Driver: If you are going to be driving New Years Eve, don't drink and drive. If you have a friend who does not prefer to drink, make sure they take the wheel. You might even be on the water this New Years Eve. The person in charge of navigating the boat needs to be cautious, and this still applies to them! It is important to be safe on the water as well, so drink sensibly.
 
Be Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and how others are acting. Stay away from those who are out of control and might cause harm. Taking preventive measures is key. If someone is really intoxicated, prevent them from trying to drive or leaving with someone they do not know. It's important to keep an eye out for each other.
 
Don't Drive: If you don't have to go behind the wheel, avoid it. More people will be driving under the influence on this particular night, so avoid a potentially dangerous accident by staying off the road. Otherwise, be alert and drive defensively. Most importantly, wear your seatbelt! Also, using public transportation is a wise option. If taking a cab is too expensive, crashing at a friend's place nearby is a convenient solution.

Yarmouth offers Operation Safe Ride Home,
 
Stick Together: This way we can look out for our friends and family. Going out to parties and nightclubs means a fast-paced, crazy night; so be sure to travel in groups. Having a safety net around you in this environment is imperative.
 
Monitor your Alcohol Intake: A majority of people will be drinking on New Year's Eve, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to pay attention to how much you and others are consuming. Drinking too much alcohol can have lethal affects. Be responsible.
 
Don't forget about your pets! They are just as much a part of the family as everyone else. If you are using fireworks, anything with loud noises, or fire, be sure that pets are kept at a distance as well as children. None of these are a good mix.
 
• Be careful with open flames: If you're burning candles, incense or oil burners, remember to extinguish them before you turn in or before you leave the room they are burning in. Pay extra attention to pets and children around open flames.
 
Be extra careful with Fireworks: If you are letting off fireworks in a residential area, be sure to practice proper safety precautions when using them. Let off fireworks in a field or other open area where homes and power lines are out of site. Have a fire extinguisher nearby and never try to re-light a firework that did not go off when first lit. Also, be sure pets and children are at a safe distance from where fireworks are being ignited. Finally, always have an adult present when using any type of firework.
 
Everyone wants to have an unforgettable night (in a good way!). By simply using some common sense, we can keep it that way. Ring in the New Year safely!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Celebrate New Years on a budget

Celebrate the New Year on a budget

 
Ready to make the most of New Year’s Eve without dropping a load of cash? Try these six fun ideas that let you ring in the New Year on a budget.
Even if you end up buying a few pitchers of beer, bowling is easy on the wallet. Call your local lanes and find out what festivities are scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Many bowling alleys offer holiday specials like unlimited bowling and free shoe rental. Dress casually and embrace friendly and silly competition with your friends over some fried food, cold beer and loud Top 40 music.

Host your own party

When you celebrate New Year’s Eve at your place, you set the rules and the price tag. Work with a reasonable budget and throw a party that focuses on fun, not luxury. Many ways to have a great inexpensive party. Try footing the bill on booze and asking friends to bring finger food and appetizers. Set up a viewing area for the New Year’s Eve countdown on TV and use existing entertainment like karaoke video games and group board games to amp up the fun. Ask your local liquor store about inexpensive sparkling wine instead of pricey champagne for your guests.

Attend a street festival

Hit your local scene for a cheap or free night out this New Year’s Eve. Check with your local arts district or downtown business bureau to get a schedule of events. On New Year’s Eve, you’ll find live music and vendors at free or low-cost festivals and street fairs. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather and get ready to people-watch as your community rings in the New Year.

Share a table of tapas

Want to enjoy a big, festive meal without a headache of a bill? Go in with your friends on a night of tapas. Tapas, or small plates, often run you less than $10 each. Order a variety and enjoy tasty finger food and plenty of lively conversation over a shared meal. Don’t forget to add a zesty pitcher of sangria for a traditional sweet and savory night of good food.

Pack up a picnic

If your celebration style is more laid-back than late-night, spend New Year’s Eve enjoying an early-evening picnic before things get too crazy. Cook a meal at home or pick up prepared food at a gourmet grocer. Pack a reasonably priced bottle of wine, plenty of napkins and a comfortable blanket. Hit a local park or public area to celebrate New Year’s over a quiet meal. You’ll get home with plenty of time to relax and watch the festivities on your television.If its cold in yur city, pack a picnic to enjioy inside possibly on floor by the fireplace!

View a local fireworks display

Nothing sparkles like a big public fireworks display. Bundle up and head out to see your local fireworks show this New Year’s Eve. Check local media outlets to get the skinny on where to park and where to find the best view. Pack some snacks and a travel mug of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider to keep you warm while you watch the sky light up with color and light to celebrate the New Year.

For great game ideas for adults and children for New Years Eve, read here
Let the kids be apart of a great New Years Celebration, few suggestions.

Monday, December 3, 2012

P's and Q's

Did you know, where the terms Minding your P's and Q's began?:

When I would visit my grandmother’s 1720’s home in Barnstable there were noticeable hash marks carved in the beams of the front parlor. Upon questioning why the marks were there it was pointed out that on one beam there was also a letter “p” and another beam accompanying hash marks was the letter “q”. This early American home had also served as a tavern, the hash marks were to keep track of the beverages consumed/sold. “P” designating pints and “Q” designating quarts, and this early bar-keeping accounting system is believed to be where the term minding your p’s and q’s began, with reference to a landlord not getting these measures mixed up on a customer’s account. It’s easy to see how this would be a good thing to mind



By: Karen Ross-Riquinha
Lighthouse Inn Reservations Manager