With Thanksgiving approaching, we look forward to getting together with family and friends during this wonderful holiday season. Hosting a great party takes a lot of planning and preparation. There is so much to consider as you build your guest list, plan your perfect menu, and arrange the festive decor. You want your guests to have an enjoyable and memorable experience, but most importantly, you want them to stay safe.

The holiday season brings with it increased traffic on the roadways as drivers race to get all of their shopping done while still attending their various holiday functions. This increased traffic gives rise to higher instances of car accidents, especially during inclement weather.

Often at holiday celebrations, alcohol is served, which makes the roads even more dangerous. In fact, alcohol-related fatalities in the U.S. rise 25% during the holiday season, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. If you’re planning to host a holiday party this season, especially one where alcohol will be served, look to some of these safety tips to ensure that your guests stay safe.

Before the Party

• Encourage your guests to designate a driver before they arrive. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways that you can help to avoid a drunk driving car accident.

• Keep the focus of your party on good conversation and good food, not on alcohol. Offer a variety of foods and non-alcoholic beverages for your guests to enjoy throughout the party.

• Plan for your party to end before midnight. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, most drunk driving accidents occur between the hours of midnight and 3am. Encourage your guests to stay off the roads during this time.

• Have a backup plan in case one or more of your guests overindulges on alcohol. Plan a comfortable place for them to stay, or if they insist on going home, keep cab numbers on hand and offer to call one for them.

• The northeast is especially prone to bad winter weather. If the forecast is calling for snow or ice, consider revising your plans so that your guests won’t have to travel under these dangerous conditions.

• Reduce the risk of your guests suffering a slip and fall or trip and fall accident by keeping your driveway and walkways clear of leaves, ice and snow.

During the Party

• Keep an eye on your guests and look for signs of intoxication. Though alcohol may affect some people differently, stumbling or slurred speech can be an obvious indication that your guest may have had one too many drinks. If you’ve noticed this or other signs of intoxication, encourage your guest to stay the night or find alternate means for them to get home.

• Stop serving alcoholic drinks at least one hour before the party ends. Instead, serve coffee, tea, or a festive non-alcoholic mulled cider.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers of Galfand Berger LLP Wish Everyone a Safe and Healthy Holiday Season

For more information about drunk driving, personal injury, or premises liability laws in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, call the experienced and highly skilled personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia at Galfand Berger at 800-222-8792 or submit an online contact form. We have offices to serve Pennsylvania residents in Philadelphia, Reading and Bethlehem.