Your guide to staying safe this New Year’s Eve

After another year in this pandemic, people are getting ready to let loose and celebrate the end of 2021.

But there is a lot to keep in mind, in order to keep yourself and those around you safe on New Year's Eve.

Some tips to stay safe:

• Do not drive intoxicated – Use a sober designated driver, public
  transportation, taxi, or a ride-share service to get to and from your destination.

Per CHP: During the previous New Year’s Day MEP, 56 people were killed in crashes in California. Sadly,
half of the vehicle occupants killed in the crashes were not wearing a seat belt. During that same
78-hour MEP, CHP officers made 709 arrests for driving under the influence throughout the
state.

• Trust your instincts – See something, say something. Be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

• Watch your drink at all times – Don't accept drinks from strangers. If it doesn't taste right, dump it out.

• Do not text while driving – Do not text while driving its dangerous
  to you, passengers and pedestrians

• Do not discharge a firearm in celebration of the New Year –Discharging firearms into the air endangers the public’s safety. Remember, what goes up, will ultimately come down.

• Do not use fireworks – Fireworks are dangerous and illegal. Indio City
  Code does not permit fireworks in the city limits. However, certain unincorporated areas of the county permit "safe and sane" fireworks, including Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Coachella and Blythe. That only includes fireworks, like sparklers, that don't shoot into the air.

And on the Covid-19 front, health officials are urging people to scale back your celebrations overall to be extra safe. "If you're having an indoor gathering, we recommend that you keep those on the smaller side. you can increase ventilation by keeping the windows open, keeping the doors open," said Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky, Riverside County's Deputy Public Health Officer.

What we do this New Years Eve, could make a big impact going into 2022.

“All of these things are in preparation in hopes to have next year's celebration, return a little bit closer to normal,” said Dr. Chevinsky.