Celebrating safely at Christmas

As we move towards the time of year which is filled with Christmas parties and festive cheer, we’ve put together a few top tips on how to celebrate safely in Charnwood.

Top tips for celebrating safely

• Plan ahead - Before heading out, make sure you have a plan and know how you're travelling to and from your party or venue.

• Stick together – Stay with friends and don’t break away from the group. Head home together and make sure everyone knows how and when each of you are getting home.

• Keep money and valuables hidden - Keep all valuables like phones, wallets and purses in zipped pockets or bags. Ideally, leave valuables such as jewellery at home, but if you must take them out with you then keep them safely hidden.

• Drink responsibility and know your limits – Avoid leaving a drink unattended and if you're drinking alcohol, consider drinking water in between alcoholic drinks.

• Be aware of your surroundings – If you’re on foot, keep to open and well-lit areas and avoid strolling and scrolling through your phone.

• Stay away from hostile situations - If you see someone in trouble, think twice before jumping in to help. Calling the police or notifying a security guard to help could be a better option.

• Charge your phone - Make sure your phone is fully charged before you head on your night out.

Ask for Angela

Heading out for your Christmas party or going on a festive date? As well as thinking about what to wear, make sure you also take some time to consider the venue.

It’s important to feel safe when out and about, that’s why various pubs and bars across the county take part in the "Ask for Angela" initiative, which provides assistance should you find yourself in a difficult or intimidating situation.

So, if you don’t feel safe, if your date isn’t who they said they were, or if things just don’t feel quite right, go to the bar and ask for Angela.

Staff at participating venues have been trained to recognise the discrete safe word, ‘Angela’, alerting them to a problem. The member of staff can then provide a safe place for you to contact a friend, or help you to leave the venue if you are feeling unsafe due to someone else’s actions, words or behaviour.

For more details about the scheme and to see a list of participating venues in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, please visit the Leicestershire County Council website.