Let's Celebrate Summer, Responsibly!
Summer is finally here! As we continue to navigate what we hope to be the last chapter of the pandemic, more and more people are looking for war to vacations, pools, and of course, parties. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of summer and not take enough time to relax and think about what’s important: responsibility. Before this summer officially begins, learn more about how to summer responsibly.
Know your limits 📲
If you’re over 21, and choose to drink, learn your limits. You always want to be mindful about what you’re putting in your body, but during the summer, you want to be extra mindful to not ruin your good time by consuming too much alcohol. Find out how many standard drinks you can have before it affects you + how food affects your BAC. Visit the Virtual Bar before you start drinking to learn how these, and other factors, can impact your BAC.
Hydrate Shape 💦
Drink water! It’s hot outside and you can get dehydrated quickly. Water is the best way to quench your thirst and cool off. If you’re hosting a summer party of any kind, make sure you have non-alcoholic options. Zero-proof cocktails are all the rage this season, so get fancy with juices and herbs from your garden! Or some berries and lemons to create an Instagram worthy drink. As you make your list remember some juice boxes for the kids, too.
Host Responsibly 🍔
This summer, if you’re hosting a party, you want to be the best host you can be. Provide food and make sure there’s enough food for you and any guests you have at your party. Plus, if you want a so-so party to be AWESOME, great food on hand for people with varying tastes. We all know it’s everyone’s favorite part. It’ll be fairly cost efficient if you’re hosting a cookout to ask everyone to bring a side dish. Also, never let anyone drive drunk. Make a plan for getting home safely ahead of time -- designate a driver, call a ride share service or allow friends to stay over.
Set Expectations
Kids have a lot of questions, often based on what they have seen or are seeing. In the summertime, it makes sense that some of these questions are about alcohol. Summer is the perfect time to look for teachable moments about alcohol and responsibility. So before you even begin to summer responsibly, talk to your kids about alcohol. Let them know that first and foremost, if they are underage, then it’s not for them! Discuss ways to say NO to peer pressure, how to make healthy choices, and what to do if they are in an uncomfortable situation. Our Ask, Listen, Learn underage drinking prevention program has conversation starters if you need some advice for where to begin.
Travel Responsibly
Over the last two years, road safety has become a huge concern in our country. With impaired driving crashes and fatalities up, it’s more important than ever to do everything in your power to be safe when you get behind the wheel. Whether it’s a local jaunt to and from a friend’s house or a longer road trip, make sure you have a plan, make sure people know when you are traveling, and make sure to never drive impaired—that means under the influence of alcohol, after taking medications or drugs, or if you are drowsy or distracted. Also make sure that the people you are with are making the right choices about get from point A to point B. Never get in a car with an impaired driver, and encourage friends to stop anyone from driving in unsafe conditions.
There are a million things to be excited for this summer, just be sure to take the time to summer responsibly. What responsibility tips do you have for this summer? Tweet us at @goFAAR using #SummerResponsibly!