The holiday season is right around the corner, and many of us will soon be hosting and attending parties and events to celebrate. If you are hosting a party for other adults or for youth, it’s important to recognize your responsibility in keeping others out of harm’s way. Make your holidays safe and fun with these tips!
When hosting an adult party with alcohol, think SAFE.
S- Serve more than just alcoholic beverages. Have options; provide non-alcoholic drinks as well as non-salty food or high-protein snacks like cheese, meats and unsalted nuts to absorb the alcohol.- A- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Prevent your guests from drinking excessively by setting a limit on the number of drinks per person. Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the end of the party to give guests time to sober up.
- F- Find other ways to have fun in order to show responsibility. Create memories by encouraging guests to meet new people or play games instead of drinking excessively. Remember, you are liable for any consequences that may occur because of intoxication.
- E- Encourage the use of designated drivers. Let your guests know that there will be alcohol served, and ask them to have a designated driver or use a ride sharing service like Lyft or Uber.
When hosting a party for youth, remember the word FUN.
F- Follow the laws and do NOT serve alcohol. If you serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, you could face criminal charges of up to 12 months in jail or an $1,000 fine. If you serve alcohol to minors and they injure themselves, injure someone else or damage property, their parents may also file a civil suit against you.- U- Unsupervised teens are more likely to drink. By supervising the party and letting other parents know you will be doing so, you help prevent underage drinking and other risky behaviors from taking place.
- N- Network and involve youth in planning. Ask them to determine a theme for the party and allow them to give input on food and non-alcohol drinks, decorations and activities to make the party fun and memorable.
During the holidays, you also have a responsibility to keep yourself safe if you are attending a party or event! Know that it is always acceptable to choose not to drink alcohol, especially if you are the designated driver. As an adult over 21, if you decide to drink alcohol, be aware that the legal Blood Alcohol Level limit for drivers is 0.08. For a 120 lb. woman, this equates to two drinks in one hour; for a 160 lb. man, this is about three drinks in one hour.
However, according to the Division of Addictive Diseases at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health, the risk of involvement in a fatal crash is four to ten times greater for drivers who have between 0.05 and 0.07 Blood Alcohol Levels. Driving under the influence could cost you up to $10,000 in bail, fines, fees and insurance. Choose not to drink alcohol or make sure you have a designated driver!
By following these tips, you can create fun memories during the holidays while also remaining safe! Now, it’s time to start planning your next party.
We wish you a safe and healthy holiday season!