Keep Safe when out and about this Christmas

Do you know what you’re drinking?

There are a lot of stories in the press about the health implications of drinking excessively. Everyone enjoys a night out with friends and family, whether it’s having a couple of drinks with a meal or going out for a night on the town with friends. We often don’t think about the harm alcohol can cause. We know we should, but sometimes we forget.

If you are having a drink do you really know what you’re drinking? Do you leave your drink unattended? Anyone could slip something into your drink when you least expect it.

Drinking alcohol can make you vulnerable, if your drink gets spiked it can really affect you and make you susceptible to criminals.

Did you know?

• Drink spiking is illegal, whether or not an attack or assault has been carried out. It can result in a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison for anyone who is found guilty of doing it. If an assault, rape or robbery has also taken place, then the sentence will be even higher.

What should I do if I think my drink has been spiked?

If you think that your drink has been spiked, you should stop drinking it and tell someoneyou trust, that you think your drink has been spiked. If you are out on your own, ask the pub landlord or bar manager to call one of your friends. Then you need to get to a safe place, whether that’s at home or at a friends house. 

If you start to feel ill, get someone you trust to take you to your nearest A&E department andtell the medical staff that you think you’ve had your drink spiked.

How can I avoid my drink being spiked?

If your drink has been spiked it’s unlikely that you will be able to see, smell or taste any difference.

The following steps may help prevent someone from spiking your drink:

• Never leave your drink unattended
• Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know
• Keep an eye on your friends’ drink
• Stay away from situations that you don’t feel comfortable with
• Let someone know where you are and what time you expect to be home, especially if you’re going on a date with someone you don’t know.
• Don’t give out too much information to someone you’ve just met, such as your address.
• It’s important to remember that if you’ve already been drinking, it may make you less aware of any danger.

The most common reasons for drink spiking are:

• For amusement
• To be malicious
• To carry out sexual assault or rape
• To carry out a theft

If you do go out, remember to make sure that you and your friends/family get home safely.  Get them to text you when they get home, and you text them when you get home. That way you don’t have to spend the night worrying about them.

Remember, it’s not just women who get their drinks spiked.

To find out more information about staying safe when you’re making your way home look at out ‘Walking the streets late at night/early in the morning’ BELOW

Source; http://www.upbeat.uk.com