How to Plan a Safe Holiday Party

It's holiday party time; time to celebrate family, friends and good cheer.  Unfortunately, a whopping  50% of all holiday traffic fatalities are related to alcohol consumption.  Here are some tips on playing it safe this year as a party host or guest.

Hosting a Holiday Party

Planning a holiday party at your home?  You could potentially be liable if your guests over-imbibe and get into a car accident.  If you host a party with alcoholic beverages, keep your guests safe with these tips in mind:

• Stay sober - you'll be far better-equipped to tell if someone is inebriated.

• For larger parties, consider hiring a bartender to serve drinks instead of having your guests serve themselves.

• Make it easy and appealing for guests to make non-alcoholic choices.  Set up a non-alcoholic beverage station with juices, soda and coffee.

• Provide plenty of food, especially ones high in protein and carbohydrates to help slow down the absorption of alcohol into the body.

• Provide a ride.  Have taxi numbers at hand, or if you have it in your budget, consider hiring a car service for later in the evening to drive guests home safely.

Attending a Holiday Party

If you are attending a holiday party this year where you know you will be drinking, here are a few tips to stay safe.

• Bring a date who's the designated driver. Whether it's a spouse, partner, friend or anyone else, make a deal that if they are the designated driver for your holiday party, that you'll return the favor for the next party.

• Drink plenty of water and eat carbohydrate-rich foods to absorb alcohol. Knowing your limit is important, as well as stopping drinking 90 minutes before you leave.

• Program a taxi company number in your cell phone before you leave the house so you'll have it ready if you do have too much to drink.

• If it's a company party, book a room at the hotel where the party is located or a hotel near the party.

• Don't be shy about asking ask the host for help in providing a place to stay or finding you a way home.

• If you have an iPhone, download Avvo's blood alcohol calculator, Last Call. Last Call will estimate your blood alcohol level as you add in how much you drink throughout the evening.