Muhammad Ramadan | March 4, 2024 | Personal Injury
It’s no secret that Chicago throws the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party every March. But the combination of thousands of people, high spirits, and free-flowing alcohol means that — for many — the festive holiday doesn’t always go according to plan.
If you want your St Patrick’s Day celebrations to go off without a hitch, there’s good news: Following some basic safety tips can help ensure that the “Luck ‘o the Irish” is with you during your St. Patrick’s shenanigans in The Windy City.
Stay With Friends
It should come as no surprise that staying with your group is one of the best ways to stay safe during a public celebration, especially one as large as St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago.
With that said, tips for making the most of your social circle include the following:
- Use the buddy system
- Stay together when using the restroom
- Go with a friend to buy food or drinks
- Don’t wander off alone
- Be wary of strangers
- Keep your cell phones charged
- Share your location with friends or family
Anything can happen in a crowd of thousands, especially when they’re drinking and partying for hours on end. Simply staying together and having a system in place to reunite if separated can help ensure your friends have your back during the celebrations.
Avoid Chicago Streets
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is an event that sees many of the city’s streets shut down. For the parade, the city usually closes Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Wacker Drive, as well as many of the side roads between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue.
It’s important to remember that these closures call for rerouted traffic, making other streets more congested than usual and thereby increasing the risk of frustration, road rage, and careless driving. Road closures can also make it especially easy to forget about road safety when alcohol is involved, so there’s also a heightened risk of drunk driving during the festivities. With that said, it’s important to stay vigilant and proceed with care even while walking.
Stay Away From Trouble
Spirits run high during the St. Patrick’s festivities in Chicago — sometimes too high. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a number of unsafe or unwise situations. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) makes plenty of arrests during the annual celebration; recent years have even involved shooting incidents on the day of the parade.
Try to avoid altercations and walk away from conflict before it escalates. Follow the law and always obey any instructions given by the CPD officers working the event. St. Patrick’s Day is a time when business as usual is suspended in many ways, but you need to make sure not to cross any lines that can leave you injured or in trouble with the law.
Drink Responsibly
For many, St. Patrick’s is synonymous with heavy drinking, often for the entire weekend, but excessive alcohol consumption increases your risk of injury and significantly impairs judgment.
Staying safe on St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago begins with safe drinking practices.
Best practices for safe drinking during the fun include the following:
- Pacing yourself
- Hydrating often
- Avoiding over-intoxication
- Remembering to eat
- Watching out for your friends
- Knowing not to drink and drive
- Keeping and consuming alcohol in allowed areas
Practicing responsible alcohol consumption is one of the best ways to avoid unsafe situations on St. Patrick’s Day.
Getting Help With St. Patrick’s Day Injuries
For many Chicago residents, St. Patrick’s Day calls for the biggest party of the year. However, it’s vital to understand that plenty of serious car accidents, injuries, and fatalities occur during the holiday weekend.
Following basic safety tips can help increase your chances of staying safe and having fun. Still, if you are injured during St. Patrick’s festivities, it’s a good idea to document the incident, see a doctor promptly, and consult a Chicago personal injury lawyer about how you can go about recovering compensation.
Contact Our Chicago Personal Injury Law Firm For Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Chicago, Illinois, and need legal help, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Cook County and its surrounding areas:
Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers
134 N La Salle St #2160
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 929-2884