Here are some tips . . .

• Never go alone, have a buddy or with a group of friends.
• Don’t leave your drink unattended or accept open drinks – especially from people you don’t know. It’s too easy for someone to put something in your drink (i.e.: drugs, or other noxious or nauseating substances – think back to American Pie . . . )
• Don’t leave a party alone or let a friend leave alone – only leave a party with someone you trust.
• Avoid risks. Don’t participate in activities that require a balance, coordination or alertness (like driving, swimming, boating, riding a bike) if you are impaired in any way.
• Eat, Drink and be Merry? Make sure you grab a bite to eat – especially if you choose to drink alcohol. Plus the only way to be merry if you do choose to drink is to not over do it.
• Pink Elephants? . . . Drinking 5 of more alcoholic drinks in one sitting is called binge drinking and it increases your risks and decreases your ability to think (and for that matter walk) straight. Risks can include serious falls, being involved in sexual assaults or unplanned sexual encounters, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, drinking and driving, getting in the car with someone else who’s drunk, physical assaults alcohol poisoning and death.
• If you have been drinking alcohol, are impaired by any other substance or are too tired don’t drive!
• Never get in the car with someone who has been drinking, doing drugs, or is really tired even if it doesn’t seem like their driving would be impaired.
• Be prepared. Take a cell phone or keep a quarter in your pocket so you can make a phone call for help if you need to.

HAVING A PARTY

Then you need to think of some party rules so that your PARTY RULES! Remember that you are responsible for your guests’ safety. Here are some tips to reduce your liability and make your job hosting a party easier and more fun.

• Serve lots of food.

• Provide plenty of beverage choices like pop, juice and awesome mocktails.

• Keep an eye on those who are drinking alcohol and how much they drink. Be prepared to ask someone to stop drinking before they become totally inebriated. 

• Develop an invitation list and invite only those people on it to keep your party manageable. Don’t be afraid to screen people at your door.

• Make sure you have a way to control access for those coming and going from your party. This can be made easier by having only one entry/exit door to your party. You can also keep track of your guests and what they are doing by having a ‘no revolving do policy’ – you’re in to stay and if you leave you can’t come back in.

• Have your party inside and designate a specific area for the party. Remove anything from the ‘party room’ that is valuable or easily breakable. Outside parties are much more difficult to manage, are easier to crash and can be more dangerous and damaging for your guests and your pocketbook (can you spell p-r-o-p-e-r-t-y d-a-m-a-g-e!)

• Don’t try to host a party alone, have party helpers lined up to help.

• Pay attention – be prepared to deal with guests before they get unruly and be prepared just in case some do.

• Don’t tolerate dangerous behaviour or people breaking your rules.

• Don't plan on doing any potentially dangerous activities that require coordination, balance or alertness (i.e. swimming, boating, driving or riding) if there is anyone who will be drinking at the party.

• Keep emergency phone numbers by the closest phone (taxi, police, ambulance, fire).

• Know when to call for assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Call on your parents or an adult if any guests get out of hand.

• Make plans before the party for how your guests are getting home or where they’ll be staying. Sometimes the best alternative to trying to catch a ride home is sleeping over. 

• Make sure none of your guests drive under the influence of alcohol.

• Keep your eyes open and ask your guests to watch out for each other.

• If you kick someone out of your party you must make sure that the individual gets home safely because you are still liable for their actions until they are sober. Do not just let them walk away drunk.

The above information was adapted with permission from the Renfrew County and District Health Unit Party Smart Guide.