Your responsibilities as a host
RESPONSIBLE HOSTING
When you host any type of event where alcohol
is being served, you want your guests to enjoy
themselves and, once it's over, to get home
safely, without endangering themselves or others.
Being aware of potential problems and planning
ahead can help minimize the risks, keep your
entertaining fun and safe, and help you and
your guests have a good time.
You may be held responsible for what happens
to your guests when they are in your home, on
your property or at any function or party you
organize, whether it's an intimate dinner, a
wedding, a street party or a company event.
If you decide to provide alcohol as part of
the festivities, whether your event is at home
or elsewhere, you may be held responsible for
your guests' actions. For instance, you could
be sued if a guest starts a fight or falls down
the stairs or drives home after drinking and
is involved in a crash. And serving someone
to the point of intoxication could result in
personal responsibility to you for any injury
to them or damage caused by them.
As well, when you entertain and are in charge
of the premises and who attends, you are responsible
for taking steps to protect all your guests
from harm, including those who may be impaired
or intoxicated. This means ensuring the location
is reasonably safe for all guests, protecting
them from risk of injury others may pose and
ensuring that activities taking place at the
event don't pose a risk of injury.
Exercise caution and follow these tips to help
keep things safer once the party's started:
BE THE HOST WITH THE MOST. Plan
to drink minimally or not at all in order to
stay in control. You'll be better able to avoid
potential problems if you can think clearly
and act quickly. Also, before the party begins,
enlist a friend's help if needed should a guest
drink too much. If someone is drinking too much,
engage them in conversation, offer snacks and
a non-alcoholic drink.
PERMIT NEEDED? Permit Needed?
You'll need a Special Occasion Permit (SOP)
if you are planning to sell or serve beverage
alcohol at special occasions such as weddings,
charity fundraisers and receptions. You don't
need a permit to serve alcohol in a private
residence, including its attached property (e.g.
front - or backyard). Selling beverage alcohol
in a private residence is not permitted.
ALCOHOL IS A DRUG. Like other
drugs, alcohol produces a wide range of physical
and mental effects that vary from one individual
to another. Even at low levels, it may affect
perception, judgment, coordination and decision-making
– long before there are obvious signs
of impairment.
DESIGNATE DRIVERS. Before
the party gets going, it's important to make
sure all your guests have planned for a safe
drive home. Know who the designated drivers
will be. Then, serve them accordingly –
that means no alcohol whatsoever.
TAKE THE FIZZ OUT. If you
serve an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated
base, such as fruit juice. The body absorbs
alcohol faster when mixed with carbonation as
in mixed drinks with carbonated mixes or sparkling
wines.
MEASURING UP. Mix and serve
drinks yourself or appoint a trustworthy bartender
rather than let guests serve themselves. And,
while you're at it, be sure to measure drinks
and by all means avoid serving doubles or shots.
Don't refill glasses readily. Never let children
serve or consume alcohol. For larger gatherings,
consider hiring a responsible-service-trained
bartender or taking the training yourself. It's
also a good idea to locate your bar in another
room, so that guests will have to travel to
get there.
A DRING IS A DRINK. Despite
appearances, a standard serving of beer, wine
and spirits each contains an equal amount of
absolute alcohol. That means a 12-oz. beer (5%
alcohol per volume), a 5-oz. glass of wine (12%
alc./vol.) and a 1.5-oz. serving of spirits
(40% alc./vol.) are all equal in alcohol content.
Use a shot glass to measure drinks. Guessing
can lead to excessive consumption.
NO MEANS NO. Never make drinking
the focus of your event or force drinks on your
guests. If someone says no to a drink, be sure
to offer them nonalcoholic alternatives or Mocktails.
Also, don't force abstainers to make a public
statement by serving alcohol in one type of
glass and soft drinks in another. Plan on providing
plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages.
Guests may also appreciate your including low-alcohol
beers and wines in your bar.
CHOW DOWN. Alcohol is generally
absorbed into the bloodstream faster on an empty
stomach, while food in the stomach tends to
slow down absorption of alcohol. If you serve
alcohol, always have plenty of easily accessible
food on hand. If you're not serving a meal,
have plenty of high-protein and carbohydrate
foods available, such as cheese, meats, unsalted
chips, crackers, nuts and pita bread. High-moisture-content
foods, such as raw vegetables and fruits, with
low-calorie dips are also good choices. Avoid
salty and greasy snacks, which tend to make
people thirstier.
NO GAMES ALLOWED. Drinking
games encourage alcohol being consumed too quickly
and could lead to alcohol poisoning, which is
potentially fatal. Plan activities for your
guests so that drinking isn't the main focus
of the party and they'll be less likely to rely
on it to loosen up.
A BAD MIX. Never serve alcohol
to minors. In Ontario, the legal drinking age
is 19 years. Nor should you plan physical activities
or sports when you're serving alcohol. People
may be more prone to accidents when they've
been drinking.
LAST CALL. Never serve guests
to the point of intoxication. Stop serving alcohol
at least an hour before the end of the party.
Close down the bar and make the transition by
serving enticing desserts and coffee or other
non-alcoholic drinks.
HAPPY TRAILS. Be prepared
to arrange rides for guests with sober drivers,
drive them yourself, let them sleep over or
provide taxi fare. Be sure to have taxi numbers
ready in advance. Never let anyone who's been
drinking get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
And it's always a good idea to remind your guests
to buckle up.
CHECK IT OUT. Check on your
home insurance policy's third-party liability
coverage. Contact your insurance provider to
help you understand your risks and responsibilities
as a host and minimize potential problems. Following
the advice your insurer gives can help you ensure
a safe and entertaining event for you and your
guests.
