Reducing the health and safety risks associated with drinking alcohol

Situations in which to avoid drinking alcohol

To reduce risks to your health and safety, you should avoid drinking alcohol in the following situations:

• If you plan on driving or operating machinery or equipment
• If you are taking medication or other substances that interact with alcohol. For more details, read Alcohol and drugs: a combination to avoid
• If you are engaged in a hazardous activity, such as driving or operating machinery
• If you have a physical or mental illness
• If you have an alcohol addiction
• If you are pregnant or planning to be
• If you are responsible for the safety of others
• If you have to make important decisions 

What precautions to take if you drink

If you plan to drink alcohol, here is some advice to reduce the risk:

• Eat to avoid drinking on an empty stomach
• Hydrate with non-alcoholic beverages while you are drinking (soft drinks, fruit juices, water)
• Pace your drinking
• Alternate between alcohol and water to quench your thirst
• To return home after a night out, walk, take public transport or a taxi or call a parent or friend
• Choose a person to be a designated driver – someone who will not drink and to whom you can give your car keys
• Wait for your body to get rid of the alcohol in your blood before driving