Fake Patty’s Day is set for Saturday, and when the unofficial festival is practiced safely, it can be a lot of fun. Knowing how to stay safe is important, and following these safety guidelines, partygoers can keep the celebration lighthearted and cherish every moment.

Wear something comfortable

Before going out, double-check the weather and make sure your clothing is appropriate for that day. It’s predicted the weather will be in the upper 50s to low 70s on Saturday, but it’s important to check in the morning to ensure you’re dressed safely. If you’re reconsidering your Fake Patty’s Day outfit, many local stores have lots of green stocked for March, so be creative with what you wear.

Also, make sure the shoes you choose are comfortable. You never know how far you’ll be walking or what will happen, so choose something you’re comfortable doing a lot of walking in and getting dirty.

Make safe driving arrangements

Many people come to town this weekend, so remember to drive safely. More importantly, make sure you are riding in a car with a sober driver, and never get behind the wheel if you had something to drink. Pay attention to your surroundings, look both ways before crossing the street and stay on the sidewalk.

Hydrate, eat and rest

Stay hydrated and well-rested. Before and during the celebration, make sure to drink lots of water and eat well-rounded meals. A good plan is to eat breakfast and then take a break at some point to eat lunch. This would also be a good time to take a much-needed nap.

Watch your drinks

Never leave your drinks unattended; when possible, ensure they stay covered. Buy and bring your own drinks, and familiarize yourself with the symptoms of date rape drugs. The most common signs are symptoms of excessive drowsiness and confusion, but they aren’t the only ones. Create a code word with a trusted friend, so if anyone thinks something is in their drink, you have a safe, private way to communicate what’s going on and an action plan in place.

Stay with your group

Always stay with your friends. Don’t separate from the group or put yourself in danger. If you feel that you or someone close to you is in an unsafe situation, or it seems like they had too much to drink, dial 911.

Set up a meeting point

Before going out, determine a central, safe location to meet your friends in case you get lost. That way if someone gets lost without their cell phone, or in an emergency, you can find each other. When you go out for the festivities, ensure you know how to get back to the meeting point from wherever you are.

Know what’s in your system

If you’re on any medications, make sure you’re familiar with how drinking may affect that. Check with your doctor before drinking to see how your medication will interact with alcohol and make sure you’re safe to drink.

Also, make sure one of your friends knows what type of medication, vitamins or other substances are in your system so in the case of an emergency, medical professionals can properly help.

Learn the area

For anyone not from Manhattan, make sure you know where you are when you’re out drinking. That way if you need to call 911, you know your location, or if you don’t have access to your phone, you know how to get somewhere safe.

Get help if you need it

It is always better to be safe than sorry; it’s as simple as that.

For any emergency, call 911, but for other situations here are helpful numbers to know:

Riley County Police Department Non-Emergency: 785-537-2112

National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1-800-250-015

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Lafene Health Center: 785-532-6544

Ascension Via Christi Hospital: 785-776-3322

Kansas Poison Help Line: 1-800-222-1222