Who's in charge this New Year?

Alcohol impairs your judgement. When you combine it with a New Year’s Eve party you can become distracted and your attention can wander away from important responsibilities – like your children.

This New Year, if you have young children, don’t leave their health, wellbeing and safety to chance. Whether you plan to drink or not, make sure you have a plan for who is going to be looking out for any youngsters.

In the same way as a designated driver stays sober to ensure they and their friends make it home safely, it’s important to identify someone who will be responsible for the children’s care – whether you’re going out or staying in.

Make sure that person knows and understands all they need to know, including any specific health needs, medicines, any behaviours, as well as checking on the children to ensure they aren’t at risk of any physical harm, or that they haven’t wandered off.

The same applies to sleeping arrangements. Young children are at serious risk if they’re sleeping in the same bed as a parent, especially if the adults have been drinking.

A little bit of planning and a few simple measures will ensure that all members of the family can start off 2024 in the right way.