With the semester coming to an end and the new year just around the corner, there are a few tips that students should remember to have a safe and memorable celebration.

Whether you are hosting or attending a party, counting down in a club or traveling this holiday season, safety is an important priority to have on your mind.

If you are hosting a party and going to have alcohol available, make sure that your guests have a designated driver. You may want to have non-alcoholic drinks on hand for those guests who volunteer to be the D.D. or just choose not to drink. Keep a bowl next to the door to collect everyone’s keys to ensure that those who do drive are sober.

“We always have a designated driver,” Sacramento State student Erin Easley said. “If we can’t find a driver we always look for an alternate means of transportation, like a cab or shuttle.”

Have a friend who is not going to drink at your party take people home at the end of the evening or have an alternate means of transportation for your guests, like a taxi or shuttle.

If at all possible, have your party where guests can stay the night so nobody is faced with having to drive.

If you are the party animal who plans on beating your last beer guzzling record on New Year’s Eve, you may want to follow these suggestions to ensure you are safe and somewhat conscious when bringing in the new year. Always have food in your stomach before your binge, as it will help to absorb the alcohol. Know what your limit is and do not exceed it.

Other tips include drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink to keep you hydrated, don’t mix different types of alcoholic drinks and replace lost nutrients by snacking while getting your drink on.

Remember that even if you are sober when hitting the road after your celebration, others on the road may not be. This means that if you are driving that night (or early morning), exercise extreme caution so as not to get in the path of those driving under the influence.

For those of you who will be traveling up to the Reno/Tahoe area this New Year’s, the California Department of AAA has some winter driving tips to keep you safe:

o Always carry chains with you when driving in the snow.

oDrive slower than you normally would, your car needs three times more space to stop on slick roads.

o If your vehicle begins to slide on a slick surface, don’t hit the brakes. Simply ease off of the gas and steer into the direction of the skid.

For more information on winter driving in California, call 1-800-427-7623.

With the New Year just around the corner, these safety tips and common sense will make for a memorable holiday season.