People who will be consuming alcohol while out and about this Christmas are being reminded of the importance of planning how they will get home.

According to Fionnuala Sheehan, chief executive of drinkaware.ie, many people get caught up in the excitement of a night out and forget to plan ahead. However when it comes to getting home safely, there are many options available, including taxis, buses, trains and, if in Dublin, the LUAS.

She urged people to put aside money at the start of the night to cover the fare home, ‘so you can avoid making unnecessary late night visits to ATM machines'.

"ATMs can prove a favourite area for unsavoury characters to identify potential robbery victims. Alternatively choose a taxi service that offers a credit card payment service," she said.

Ms Sheehan also highlighted the importance of pacing when it comes to the consumption of alcohol.

"Pacing your drinking, that is keeping the quantity of alcohol you drink to a moderate level, and slowing down the pace at which you drink whenever you're out over Christmas will help you enjoy your night for longer. It will also ensure you're in a good position to get home safely at the end of the night," she said.

She also urged people to do simple things like alternating alcoholic drinks with water and eating before drinking.

Christmas revelers are also reminded that the Gardai will be out in force carrying out random breath tests on drivers, and some people may be caught out even the next day.

"The day after, the only real cure is time. Even if you feel better after a ‘cure' you still may not be fit to drive. Your body gets rid of roughly one standard drink - that is half a pint of beer or a small glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits - per hour."