Have a responsible celebration this year

VICTORIA Police have issued a seasonal reminder for people to take care of themselves and each other when out celebrating in the lead-up to Christmas.

Many parties and end-of-year events with family, friends and colleagues take place towards the end of the year, and celebrations can involve the consumption of alcohol.

“Police work closely with local traders, including restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs to ensure compliance with liquor licensing laws and prevent alcohol-related harm in public areas,” Geelong Liquor Licencing Unit’s Sergeant Andrew Harris said.

“Over the holiday season, police will be ramping up operations across licenced venues to ensure liquor laws are followed and to address any anti-social or unsafe behaviour.”

Sgt Harris has provided some handy tips for drinking responsibly and staying safe during the festive season:

• Ensure you have eaten before drinking alcohol
• Before heading out to any social gathering, set an alcohol limit and try to stick to it
• Do not binge drink or preload before heading out, consider substituting every second drink with water, and avoid drinking in fast shouts or taking shots
• Take care of your friends. If you are with someone who is heavily alcohol affected, don’t leave them by themselves and assist them home or to a safe place
• Do not leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from other people due to the risk of drink spiking
• Have a planned way of getting home – allocate a designated driver, ride share or arrange to be picked up, and
• Never drink and drive, or get into a vehicle with a person who has been drinking.

Sgt Harris said the end-of-year and Christmas festivities were times to celebrate but police were urging the community to do so while acting responsibly, and police would be out in force over the Christmas period.