Get home safethis Christmas

An initiative, launched by Coleraine Borough Council, is encouraging people to enjoy the nightlife in the area sensibly and is promoting a series of essential tips to a sociable safe Christmas.

The Get Home Safe campaign is being coordinated by Council’s Environmental Health team, in partnership with Coleraine Community Safety Partnership.

Council’s Health and Well Being Officer, Debbie Keys, explains the importance of the initiative: “Council has launched this campaign to coincide with the festive season. At this time of year many party-goers, particularly young people, will be socialising in the area and we need to encourage them to stay safe.

“Our message to party-goers is simple; enjoy Christmas but be aware of your own limits. In particular we urge young people to ‘think when you drink’, ‘plan ahead’ and ‘stay safe, stay together’.

“Council and its partner organisations are working towards reducing incidents of alcohol misuse and drink related anti-social behaviour and this campaign is one of a programme of projects that aims to address such issues in the Borough.”

This initiative was launched in 2010 and is based on other council’s Get Home Safe campaign, it shows how drinking too much can affect the ability to get home safe and encourages everyone socialising to look after their friends.

The message will be displayed on seventy washroom posters in licensed premises including bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels across the Borough.

STAY SAFE TIPS

Plan your journey home in advance by booking a taxi or arranging for someone to collect you; Drink responsibly and know your limits when it comes to alcohol; Don’t get separated from your friends and don’t let them wander off on their own, especially if they have had too much to drink; Never leave your drink unattended and never accept a drink from someone you don’t know; Save the phone numbers of reliable taxi companies into your mobile phone or carry some spare change in case you need to use a payphone; Stay calm and walk away if someone provokes you; and always carry enough money to get home.