Top 10 tips for safer drinking

• Don’t lose your cool. Drinking heavily can increase your risk of being involved in confrontation and can impact on your relationships
• Beware of drink spiking. Be vigilant and look out for your friends; if you’re worried, seek help.
• Don’t drink and drive. Plan your transport home in advance or choose a ‘designated driver’.
• Mull it over. Drinking can lead you to act impulsively or take risks, such as having unprotected sex.
• Avoid bingeing. If you’re out with a group, avoid buying drinks in “rounds” – this might encourage you to drink more than normal.
• Keep warm. Alcohol can make you feel warmer than you are. In winter, this deceptive warm “flush” is quickly lost, drawing heat away from your body.
• Stick together. If you notice that a friend is unsteady on their feet, stay with them – never leave friends to walk home alone.
• Track your drinking.
• Try a soft drink. Alternating soft drinks in between drinks will help you stay sober for longer.
• Stay on your feet. Icy weather can make the ground slippy, risking falls if you’ve been drinking. If you feel unsteady, stop drinking and ask a friend for help.