Party Design: Hosting Hings

Create a Safer Party Environment

A little planning goes a long way toward preventing problem situations.

Be Neighborly

Notify your neighbors in advance that you'll be hosting: Let them know they can call you if there are any disturbances.
Respect neighbors' rights: Remember that your neighbors have the right to an environment free from unreasonable disturbances and high-risk behaviors that put them and other community members at risk.

Know Georgia Laws

Party hosts should be aware of Georgia law concerning alcohol use and the possible penalties. Hosts can be held both criminally and civilly liable for violations of the law and can be sued for damages, injury, or death and even held criminally responsible for the actions of those guests served.

Plan to Keep Guests Safe

Plan to allow only invited guests to stay. Letting in people you do not know may cause problems, including arguments, fights, and disruptive behavior.
Have emergency numbers (police, hospital, etc.) handy.

At the Door

If serving alcohol, ID guests and identify those of legal drinking age.
Take the keys to be sure that no one drinks and drives.
Make sure your guests know the house rules: for example, no funneling or gunning. Posting a sign at the door with your house rules may be helpful

Atmosphere

Create an environment in which your guests feel comfortable making low-risk drinking decisions.
Offer activities for guests-like dancing, games or contests-that do not involve alcohol.
Focus on engaging in conversations with friends rather than drinking.
If you have a party theme, make it unrelated to alcohol.
Be a good role model for your guests by modeling legal, safe, low-risk behaviors.
Remember that the party is about the people, not the drinking.

Beverages and Food

Offer non-alcoholic beverages such as mocktails. Chances are good that not everyone will want to drink alcohol.
If you're serving alcoholic beverages, serve low-alcohol beverages such as light beer.
Measure alcoholic beverages; have shots/ jiggers available to deliver measured amounts.
Refuse alcohol to anyone who is visibly intoxicated.
If you serve an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, such as fruit juice. The body absorbs alcohol much faster when it is mixed with carbonation.
Stop serving alcohol about two hours before the party ends.
Provide food or snacks when serving alcohol, or ask guests to bring them. High-protein foods like cheese and meats are especially good; they take longer to digest than simple sugars and will slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed.

Respect guests' low-risk choices

Avoid forcing alcohol on your guests or allowing other guests to do so.
Affirm that choosing not to drink is a legitimate choice and support those guests who follow the 0-1-3 Guideline.

Discourage high-risk drinking

It's your party, so you call the shots. To help your friends prevent health and impairment problems, and to keep the environment safe, it's important to speak up if someone's behavior is putting him or herself and others at risk. Be honest, avoid judging or criticizing the person, and avoid being confrontational.
If you observe a guest who is drinking too much:
- Engage that person in conversation to slow down the rate of drinking
- Offer food, water, or a different non-alcoholic drink to that person

Know what to do in case of an alcohol emergency

Be aware of guests who are engaging in behaviors that increase the risk of alcohol overdose, such as drinking quickly, playing drinking games, taking multiple shots; or mixing alcohol and other drugs.
The best time to intervene is when you notice these behaviors and before an emergency situation arises. For more information about what to do in case of alcohol poisoning, click here.

Be aware

Be aware of guests who are drinking quickly or playing drinking games.
Be aware of potentially violent situations, including arguments, and racial, religious, or sexual harassment.
Have at least one person who is not drinking available to handle problems that may arise. A designated sober person could be invaluable if police, health emergencies, or transportation services are needed.
See that intoxicated guests have a safe way home; consider providing non-drinking designated drivers for those who may have had too much to drink.
Do not allow guests to drink and drive. If someone refuses not to drink and drive, strongly advise other guests not to ride with them.

Don't allow guests to linger outside; this is a primary source of noise for your neighbors.
Clean up outside: check the area after the party or the next morning.