‘KNOW YOUR LIMITS’
Alcohol can make you feel invincible when you're most
vulnerable. The new Nightsafe campaign, launched in September 2007,
aims to give everyone a “reality check”, taking into account things
to bear in mind when you're out drinking so that you can always be
safe, even after you've had a few drinks. Taking the right
precautions is the best way to have a good time. Because the safer
you are, the more you can relax and enjoy yourself.
The new Nightsafe campaign ‘Know Your Limits’ is a
series of five posters which are being displayed in the pubs and
clubs throughout Beccles, Southwold, Halesworth, Bungay and
Lowestoft. You can view them now by clicking on the links
below;
You’re invisible when you’re most vulnerable’ Poster
1
You’re invisible when you’re most vulnerable’ Poster
2
‘Know Your Limits’ – Rape Poster
‘Know Your Limits’ – Pedestrian Deaths
Poster
‘Know Your Limits’ – Violent Crime
Poster
Tips
- Have a great night, and stay
safe
Here are a few
ways you can have a great night out without regretting it the next
morning:
-
Eat before drinking:
food slows down how fast alcohol gets into your bloodstream. It
also gives you more energy and lessens the effects the next
day.
-
Drink lighter beers:
strong continental beers are popular, but can make for a messy
night and a bigger hangover. The difference between a pint of 5%
lager, and a 3.5% or 4% one is a whole unit.
-
Set a drinks limit:
decide a drinks limit in advance, and then stick to
it.
-
Have a strategic soft drink
or water: try starting off your night with a non-alcoholic
drink. It will quench your thirst before you move on to alcohol.
Consider alternating between an alcoholic drink and a non-alcoholic
drink or at least throw in a non-alcoholic one once in a while to
keep the body hydrated, and it will lessen the effects the next
day. Drinking water before you go to bed will also
help.
-
Avoid drinking in
rounds: this can often mean drinking at a faster pace set by
someone else in the group. It may also mean that you end up
drinking more than you intended as you accept people returning your
kindness after you have bought them a drink.
- Be
your own person: you should never feel as though you have to
drink something if you don't want to. If you don't feel like
another drink, or want to drink at your own pace, real friends will
respect that.
-
Keep track of how much
you've been drinking: it is hard to say “That's my limit
tonight” if you don't know how much you've had.
-
Use more mixers:
diluting a drink with another mixer will make it last longer, and
lessen the effects.
-
Drink smaller drinks:
it sounds obvious, but it's better to drink smaller measures of
drinks if you have the choice - especially with wine. A large glass
of wine in most bars is equivalent to a third of a
bottle!
- Plan your journey
home: don't leave it to chance - think about how you're going
to get home, and who with, before you go out. Make arrangements
before you start drinking, and make sure you don't get left to walk
home alone.
To found out more please visit the ‘Know your Limits’
homepage
http://www.knowyourlimits.gov.uk
Which is run in conjunction with the NHS and the Home
Office or
Text ‘DRINK’ to 63818 for more
information.