Every year at this time, Americans start seeing green. Whether you're wearing cheap novelty items, participating in a local parade or visiting a pub for green beer, St. Patrick’s Day offers a wide range of celebration opportunities that include cultural, culinary and joyful traditions – so no matter your interests, there will be plenty of fun to be had around Stark County this week.

If alcohol is involved in your celebration this year, remember to follow a few safety tips ahead of time to ensure you’re not relying too heavily on the luck of the Irish to get home safely.

Designate a driver

One of the oldest tricks in the book, make sure that you have a designated driver and leave your keys at home to avoid any mishaps. If no one from your group of friends is willing to take on the responsibility of driving for the evening, there are other options. Research Uber or your local taxi service to see if they have any specials running in honor of the holiday, or plan your route home through public transportation.

Even if you do have a driver for the evening, keep in mind that you should always have a back-up plan just in case your driver gives into temptation and begins drinking, too.

Stay hydrated

Alcohol strips water and electrolytes from the body, so if you’re planning on having more than just one green beer in celebration of the day, be sure to drink plenty of water before leaving home. Many experts also suggest drinking one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume. Though this will not stop you from feeling the effects of alcohol, it will help your body to replenish the water that you may have lost.

Be cautious

Large crowds can often bring out the worst in strangers. If you’re enjoying a festive drink or green beer with friends, be sure to never leave your drink unattended, and do not accept drinks that you did not see the bartender prepare.

If you’ve offered to drive, be sure to stay sober. More than likely others did not plan as well for an evening of celebration and may be driving impaired. Stay vigilant to keep yourself and your passengers safe. If you notice that someone may be trying to drive drunk, do your best to take their keys and help them to find a safe ride home. And if you do see someone driving drunk, call local law enforcement. It could save a life – maybe your own.