Warning to Welsh partygoers to stay safe this Mad Friday
THE is bracing itself for one of the busiest nights of the year as workplaces empty and the office party season moves into full swing.
The Trust has teamed up with police forces, local health boards and local authorities across Wales to ensure that Mad Friday revellers have a safe and enjoyable evening.
Mad Friday is the last Friday before Christmas and traditionally the most popular night for office parties.
It has gained a reputation as one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, bars, pubs – and of course the emergency services.
The ambulance service took 800 calls on Mad Friday last year, compared to 734 calls on the same evening in 2013 (see Notes to Editors).
The service receives roughly 630 calls on a typical Friday night. The Trust is urging partygoers to stay safe and drink responsibly.
Gordon Roberts, the Trust’s Interim Assistant Director of Operations, said: “Parties and get-togethers are a big feature of this time of year which in turn puts pressure on ambulance crews and Clinical Contact Centre staff.
“It’s easy to forget how much alcohol you have consumed when you’re enjoying yourself, but while we are dealing with alcohol-related incidents, we could be delayed in treating someone whose situation really is life or death.
“We are not killjoys but we are asking the public to drink responsibly and enjoy themselves safely.”
The Welsh Ambulance Service has these top tips for staying safe:
– Don’t drink on an empty stomach
– Alternate alcoholic drinks with water and soft drinks
– Never leave your drinks unattended
– Look after your friends and make sure you have planned how you are getting home at the end of the night
– Keep your taxi money in another part of your handbag/wallet so you don’t spend it
– Only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency
This Friday the Trust is planning to put on extra resources across Wales, and special initiatives in larger towns and cities are also in the pipeline.
The service is reminding the public to Choose Well to ensure busy emergency services are available for those who need them most urgently.
For advice and treatment of most illnesses, visit your GP, or call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for confidential health advice and information.
Treatment for minor injuries, such as cuts, bites, stings and muscle and joint injuries, can be provided at your local Minor Injuries Unit, where there is no need for an appointment.
Only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency, if someone is seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk.
