Halloween weekend can be a fun time to dress up and celebrate with your friends. Here are some ways to make sure you enjoy yourself while also staying safe.
If you drink alcohol this Halloween …
Eat before you go out, and pace and limit your drinks. Avoid hard alcohol, the cause of nearly all alcohol emergencies. See more tips for lower risk drinking.
Remember that alcohol will affect you differently depending on your weight, biological sex, and other factors. Additionally, combining alcohol with a lack of sleep, stress, or a bad mood can increase your level of impairment and contribute to negative outcomes.
You must be 21+ to drink legally. Keep in mind that enforcement will be stepped up during Halloween weekend.
Watch out for each other
If you plan to go out in a large group, consider a buddy system to ensure that no one gets separated from the group or inadvertently left behind.
Know the signs of an alcohol or other drug emergency, and call 911 if someone needs help. Remember that Good Sam protects those who call for help – and those who receive help – from judicial consequences in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency.
Alcohol and other drug use does not cause sexual assault, but it can be a contributing factor as perpetrators take advantage of the vulnerability it can create. If you notice something off, step in and intervene, either directly or by calling for help.
Safety with edibles
If you consume edible cannabis (gummies, brownies, etc.) ...
Start low: Start with a small amount (no more than 2.5 mg of THC) to see how it will affect you.
And go slow: It takes time to feel the effects: you may not feel the full effects for 2-4 hours. Wait at least two hours before you take any more.
Remember that cannabis use is prohibited on Cornell’s campus, regardless of age. Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, and all colleges and universities that receive federal funding must follow the federal law.
Get home safely
If you know that you will be drinking on Halloween, make sure to plan ahead to get home safely. Have a designated driver, call for an Uber/Lyft, take TCAT, or arrange for a group walk back to your residence.
On Halloween weekend people are out long after dark, and often aren’t dressed in a way that makes them easily visible. If you are driving be aware there may be people on the sidewalks and in the road. And if you are on foot, watch carefully for cars and be aware that drivers may be impaired.
Know when to get help
Help is available 24/7. You can call Cornell's Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111 or 911 for any emergency.