Thanksgiving Eve, the night before the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade or the turkey preparations, has become known for an unofficial drinking event as friends and family return to their hometowns and celebrate at their favorite local bars.

Known as "Blackout Wednesday" or "Drinksgiving," this unofficial holiday takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 26. It is recognized as one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year, but can also lead to incidents of drunk driving and potential driving under the influence (DUI) arrests.

Before you go out and about, here's what you need to know about the celebration and how to stay safe during it.

What is Blackout Wednesday?

Blackout Wednesday is an unofficial holiday that takes place the night before Thanksgiving, often associated with the consumption of alcohol. The term "blacking out" refers to gaps in a person’s memory of events occurring while they were intoxicated, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The lapses in memory often happen when people drink enough alcohol to stop the "transfer of memories from short-term to long-term storage—known as memory consolidation—in a brain area called the hippocampus," according to the institute.

How do I stay safe during Blackout Wednesday?

If you are partaking in Blackout Wednesday this week, there are ways to participate safely, especially if you are driving to or from your favorite local bar. In past years, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned celebrants to remain vigilant during Blackout Wednesday, as the combination of high levels of drinking and many people traveling can result in a spike in accidents caused by impaired driving.

To stay safe, the NHTSA recommends some tips if you're drinking:

  • Before drinking any alcohol, designate someone to be a sober driver or schedule a ride-sharing, ride-hailing or taxi service.
  • If you are hosting a party with alcohol present, be sure to offer non-alcoholic drink options and ensure all guests leave with a sober driver
  • Always wear your seat belt, as it is the best defense against drunk drivers
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, pull over safely and call law enforcement to report it

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Blackout Wednesday ahead of Thanksgiving?

Reporting by Kate Perez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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