5 tips for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas

The body heat of more than 300,000 people may help warm up the Las Vegas Strip for New Year’s Eve, but partyers should come prepared for subfreezing temperatures.

With that in mind, here are five tips for a happy holiday in Las Vegas:

-- Dress warmly. Tonight’s forecast low is for a low of 28, and the wind could make it feel even colder. Dress in layers that will allow you to stay warm and dry. Layers also allow you to add or subtract clothing depending on whether you’re inside or outdoors watching the midnight fireworks and the people. Clark County, Nev., government officials note that wool and synthetic fibers offer more insulation than cotton.

-- Don’t assume you’ll automatically be able to pop into a casino to warm up. Security teams at various properties will be closely watching for surges of people trying to get in or out of various resorts and can restrict access as needed. “People may be asked to stay outside or stay inside for a certain period of time,” said Yvette Monet, MGM Resorts representative.

-- Although it’s legal to drink booze in public on the Strip and also in parts of downtown Las Vegas, try not to overindulge. Alcohol may initially make you feel warm, but don’t be fooled. “Drinking boozy beverages will make you feel warmer, but it doesn’t actually keep you warm or prevent hypothermia,” a Mental Floss blog says. “Instead, drinking alcohol lowers the core temperature of your body.”

-- For those with New Year’s Day hangovers, the Mayo Clinic has some tips to help ease the misery: Drink plenty of water to rehydrate. A bland snack, such as toast or crackers, may help settle a queasy stomach. You may want to take a pain reliever, but remember that aspirin can irritate an already upset stomach. And, if all else fails, go back to bed and sleep it off.

-- Be careful on the drive home. Snow has fallen in the mountain passes along Interstate 15, so certain stretches could still be slippery. Updates on road conditions in California are available online or by calling (800) 427-7623. Nevada road conditions are also updated online and at (877) 687-6237. The California Highway Patrol has a “maximum enforcement period” in effect through the weekend, with extra officers on the roads to keep motorists safe and to stop drunk drivers.

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