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PIACT Gives Tips for a Safe Holiday

It's December again. Time to make final plans for your holiday party. While you're planning, think about how much alcohol your guests are likely to drink and what could happen if they drive home drunk. With this in mind, the Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut Inc. wants homeowners to stay safe and avoid making alcohol the main attraction at holiday parties.

When planning a gathering, remember that not everyone will be drinking alcohol. Have plenty of nonalcoholic beverages available, suggests PIACT.

"Home hosts have a double duty, now more than ever, to be courteous and entertaining but also to be responsible and conscientious about the alcohol they serve. Most important, they must see that intoxicated guests do not get behind the wheel of a car," said PIACT President Christopher Wilson, CIC, CLU, CPCU, "Holiday tradition is important, but sometimes it puts our safety and that of others at risk. We want people to know there are simple ways to reduce these risks."

If guests become intoxicated, it is the host's duty to oversee their transportation arrangements. If any of your guests has had too much to drink, take his or her car keys and call a taxi, or ask someone who was not drinking to drive the person home. Be careful not to serve alcohol to minors.

Under Connecticut state law, besides being liable for reckless service to intoxicated guests, an individual may be held liable for unlawfully furnishing or assisting in the procurement of alcohol to minors.

PIACT recommend limiting access to the bar if minors are on the guest list. "You should verify your young guests are of age before you serve them an alcoholic beverage," Wilson warns.

PIACT recommends several tips to help hosts ensure safety when serving alcohol at holiday parties: Have a responsible bartender, ask a friend or relative you trust to act as a bartender. Avoid making alcohol the main focus of the social event. Create a setting conducive to easy, comfortable socializing. Entertain guests with music, games and dancing. This encourages conversation and social interaction rather than heavy drinking.

Source : http://www.zwire.com/