Hosting A Party? Protect Your Guests

Hosting a New Year's Eve party tonight? It could cost you a lot of money — a lot more than the cost of cocktail nuts, cheese, Gummy Bears and vodka — if you aren’t careful.

Sound ridiculous? Maybe. But keep in mind that the Twin Cities Police will be strictly enforcing the local social host ordinance. A first offense could incur a $750 fine. Subsequent violations can bring a fine of $1,000.

According to the ordinance, a “social host” is one who hosts a holiday party at home and serves alcohol. If a social host serves alcohol to a minor and the individual then leaves the party intoxicated, ending up in a car accident, you, as the social host, can be liable for the minor’s injuries and if the individual injures someone else.

“If you're going to serve alcohol, take responsibility. Look out for your guests," advised Twin Cities Police Sergeant Hamid Khalili.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), research shows that social host liability laws are effective. The organization says that the Center for Disease Control ‘s annual Behavior Risk Factor Surveys illustrate that states with social host laws are “significantly less likely” to have individuals who drink heavily and drive, than in states without the laws. 

Sergeant Khalili also suggests coordinating any party with your neighbors. Let them know when it will start and when it's expected to end; keep the noise and music to a reasonable level; arrange for parking for your guests.

Also, if you see anyone on the road who appears to be intoxicated, call 9-1-1.

What can holiday social hosts do this holiday season to keep everyone safe? MADD offers the following top 10 tips:

• Hire a shuttle or limousine service to provide transportation for those who have been drinking. Promote the designated driver concept in party invitations.
• Plan activities like party games, door prize drawings or amateur fortune-telling. Planned activities engage people, make for less active consumption of alcohol and ensure that your friends remember the great event long after the last piece of confetti has settled.
• As guests RSVP, confirm that at least one person in each group is prepared to be the non-drinking designated driver.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages or “mocktails” for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.
• Limit your guest list to people you know well and those who act and drink responsibly.
• Greet each guest personally: take coats and keys as each enters your house. Then provide the coats and keys when guests leave. This will help the host assess each situation personally. The key here is to stay sober so that you can evaluate your guests without inebriation.
• Reward designated drivers with fun gifts, gift certificates, etc.
• Provide plenty of foods high in protein and starch to help slow down the digestive process.
• Set up a coffee/beverage station featuring non-alcoholic syrups.
• Hire a bartender instead of having guests serve themselves. Bartenders are trained in recognizing signs of intoxication and can refuse alcohol more easily than you who may be worried about offending your guests.