Just like everyone else, we are very excited to ring in 2022 later on this week! We want to encourage everyone to be safe and smart every day, but especially on New Year's Eve. 

Firstly, do not get behind the wheel if you have been consuming alcohol.  If you have a holiday gathering on your calendar, make smart choices and plan out how you’re going to get home safely once the celebration ends. If you are the designated driver, make a commitment to 100% sobriety to keep you and your friends safe. If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911 immediately. Doing so could save the life of the driver, passenger, and others on the road. And, if you have a friend who is about to drive impaired, take away their keys and help them make arrangements to get home safely — it will be the greatest gift you ever give them. Remember options such as taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to safely get home.

Second, refrain from shooting firearms to celebrate the new year. Remember: what goes up, must come down. Unfortunately, across the United States, people are seriously hurt or killed by stray bullets fired by someone shooting a firearm to celebrate. Florida law prohibits the unsafe discharge of a firearm, and a person can be arrested for the offense. Avoid celebratory gunfire.

The DeLand Police Department along with the DeLand Fire Department also encourage people to refrain from using fireworks. Fireworks start over 19,000 fires and send over 9,000 people to the emergency room every year in the United States. Please consider celebrating with safer alternatives such as glow sticks or silly string.

Other tips for staying safe on New Year’s:

• Monitor your alcohol intake. If you are drinking, make sure to stay hydrated with water and that you have enough to eat.
• Check your fence, gate latches, and pet area before New Year’s Eve to ensure your pets can’t get out.
• Make sure pets have a collar with a tag with your information or consider microchipping pets.
• Keep your phone charged so you are prepared in the event of an emergency.
• If you go out with a group, stay with your group the entire night.
• Stay alert to what is going on around you. Contact law enforcement if necessary.