Summer has finally returned!  Now is the time for outdoor fun, spending time with friends and family and enjoying things that winter has made us miss.

If you plan to be out and about this summer and choose to drink while doing so, here are a few reminders to help keep your summer safe:

We can all can agree that drinking and driving is a very dangerous thing to do. However keep in mind that there are other summer-time activities that can cross over from fun to dangerous when alcohol is involved. Some of these activities include hiking, biking, boating, swimming and hanging around a campfire. If these activities are on your itinerary for the summer, remember to keep safety in mind and consider using the alcohol after the activity is done.

Since the weather is (usually) nice out, try to walk places with friends when you can. Not only will you get some exercise and fresh air, but you also won’t need to worry about who is driving home.

Summer air, especially at night, may be refreshing and may give you a feeling of “coming to your senses”, but it actually does not affect how much you’ve had to drink or how alcohol is affecting you. Remember that the ONLY thing that will sober a person up is time.

A common summer activity is to visit breweries, local pubs or go on a wine trail visit.  Outdoor festivals are also very popular during this time of year.  It is very easy to drink too much in situations like these.  If you do choose to drink, it is a good idea to be mindful of how much you plan on drinking, how much you actually do drink and how strong the drinks are.
Whatever you choose to do this summer, we hope it’s safe, memorable and fun! Happy summer!