Published Thursday, December 31, 2009 12:05 AM

Take care if celebrating tonight

Eagle Editorial Board

What a year this has been. Many of us will greet the new year with some relief tonight. No doubt there will be many parties and celebrations throughout the community.

We hope everyone has a good time tonight, but there are precautions we need to take to make the parties the best they can be.

First and foremost, keep your reveling within acceptable bounds. Both Bryan and College Station have noise ordinances and local police departments will have little tolerance for parties that get out of hand. Please remember your neighbors, and keep the noise down. You still can have a great time and your ears will thank you in the morning.

Of course, alcohol will play a large role in many celebrations tonight. Always drink in moderation and be sure at the start of the evening to designate a driver who will stick to soft drinks and non-alcoholic punch. Give the designated driver your car keys at the start of the party so you won't be tempted to drive after drinking.

If you don't designate a driver and still drink, there are several options: Call a taxi or a tow truck to have your vehicle towed home. You could call a friend or your parents. Perhaps your host would let you sleep on the couch or the floor. All of these choices are better than getting behind the wheel after a few drinks and killing or injuring yourself and others.

Here is a list of things you can do if hosting a party tonight, provided by the College Station Police Department:

* Avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.

* Offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.

* Do not push drinks. Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good time.

* If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base such as fruit juice. Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream faster with a carbonated base.

* Be honest when inviting guests who are known to drink to excess. Tell them that drinking and driving is unacceptable at your party. Get their agreement to find alternate modes of transportation.

Another caution from the Bryan Police Department: While it is common in some cultures to fire guns to herald the arrival of the new year, remember doing so in town is illegal. Doing so could result in a charge of disorderly conduct, which is a Class B misdemeanor. It carries a punishment of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. That's a heavy price to pay for a little excitement.

Even more important is that people could be hurt or killed. Bullets shot in the air have to come down some place, and each year a number of people get hurt, some seriously.

We want everyone to have a safe, happy New Year's Eve. Taking some simple precautions can help make that happen.

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