24 Hours In

Night falls and your excitement builds. You bought the perfect dress for tonight and even managed to get a great bargain on those really cute shoes you’ve been dying to buy.

The hundred or so dollars you spent on you hair doesn’t matter- you know you’re going to look great.

You’ve been planning a big night out in the city for ages and you’ve got everything planned out: where you’re going, who you’re going with; but it’s what you haven’t planned for that could be dangerous.

Safe partying is important and statistics show that teenagers who are informed about the risks the face are more likely to take steps to protect themselves and enjoy a successfully safe night out.

So to help you out, here are some tips on how to make sure that your night goes to plan.

First of all, plan how you’re going to get to your destination and how you’re going to get home. Make sure you have a backup plan.

The last thing you want is to be stranded outside a club at 3 in the morning with your friend hurling in the gutter (the one who was supposed to be driving you home).

In case of possible early morning abandonment, it doesn’t hurt to have the local cab company’s number stored in your phone, and know a hotel or mate’s place where you can crash just in case you’re a fair way away from home.

On the subject of phones, always make sure that before you leave the house your phone is charged and is working. Realising halfway through the night that you have to rely on a stranger to get home is not the ideal situation.

For anyone with an iPhone, the must have travelers application is iamSafe. Downloading this application to your phone will ensure that your loved ones can keep track of you wherever you are. If you feel that you are in any danger, activating this application will notify you nominated emergency contacts by SMS or voicemail and by email. Your position will also be tracked and recorded.

Image Copyright: superlocal, Flickr

 
“I think it’s such a great idea. I have it on my phone. I haven’t had to use it yet but it’s just really comforting to know that in case something does happen my parents will be notified and hopefully be able to find me,” frequent traveler Dawn Kellerman said.

Going in a group rather than by yourself is also another way to make sure your night ends well. With the increasing crime rate in Sydney’s CBD, wandering around the city by yourself is not the smartest of ideas.

While going out and getting drunk with your friends seems like a great night out, it could also become extremely dangerous.

In 2005-06, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that teenagers aged 15-19 had the highest rate of hospitilisation due to intoxication from alcohol.

The 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey also found that 19% of men aged 18-24 engaged in high risk drinking at least once a week.

Having a few drinks is fine, but to avoid hospitilisation and permanent damage, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink is the best way to go. Eating a meal high in protein before you leave home is also a good way to make sure that your night out doesn’t end in the emergency room.

Illicit drugs have also become a common problem amongst partygoers.

23% of people aged 15-24 were found to have used illicit drugs in the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

In 2005-06, there were 11 700 hospitilisations in Australia as a result of illicit drugs, 60% of them being young women.

Just say no. you really have no idea what effects the drugs will have on your system and everyone will have a much more enjoyable night if you’re not in the corner having a seizure.

Also, always keep your drink on you at all times. While you may feel safe with your friends and the environment you are in, someone could be trying to spike your drink.

Remembering these few simple tips will ensure you live to party on tomorrow (depending on how bad your hangover is).