Prepare a strategy, have a meal, and dress warmly—these are the essential recommendations from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) for those celebrating New Year’s Eve, as they gear up for their busiest night of the year.

Last year, the LAS reported that they received a 999 call every ten seconds at the height of New Year’s Day, leading to an increase of 2,000 calls compared to the daily average.

Becky Owen, associate director of operations, encouraged revelers to arrange their transportation to and from festivities and to “dress warmly, as the forecast indicates it will be quite chilly.”

“If you intend to drink, ensure you eat a proper meal and consider having some non-alcoholic beverages first, so you don’t find yourself ringing in the new year from the back of an ambulance.”

The busiest period for the ambulance service occurs between 01:00 and 02:00 GMT on New Year’s Day.

Ms. Owen mentioned that the service would deploy around 140 additional personnel on New Year’s Eve, both in the call centers and responding on the streets.

She emphasized that the service will collaborate with various partners throughout London, including the police, the coastguard, and other organizations, to ensure they are as prepared as possible to assist everyone in the city.

“We at London Ambulance Service genuinely want everyone to enjoy themselves,” she stated.

Furthermore, the LAS reminded the public to reserve the 999 line for life-threatening emergencies only and to use NHS 111 and online services for less urgent situations.