When you host your friends for a backyard BBQ in Connecticut, you may only think about the fun you will have. However, if you serve alcohol, it is important to make sure your guests do not drive drunk. At Loughlin Fitzgerald, P.C., we know it is important for you to understand your duties as a social host.
When you host parties with alcohol, you usually become a social host. This means that if people become drunk at your home and get into a car accident after they leave, you might be liable. As a social host, it is typically your responsibility to make sure your guests do not get drunk. If you notice that someone is intoxicated, it is also your duty to make sure he or she gets home safely without driving.
There are several ways you can make sure your guests do not drink too much at your backyard BBQ. According to Very Well Mind, you may want to make sure you personally serve alcoholic drinks. A guest may be more likely to drink too much if he or she has free access to alcohol. Serving guests allows you to notice which people keep coming back for another drink so you can cut them off if necessary. Additionally, it is a good idea to serve plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. You may want to offer soda and lemonade to your guests, as well as fruit juice or tea. Having numerous beverage options may help ensure your guests do not drink alcohol during the entire BBQ.
At a BBQ, your guests will have access to plenty of food, and this can help ensure they do not get drunk. It is a good idea to start serving food as soon as the BBQ starts so your guests do not drink on an empty stomach. You may want to put out appetizers, like cheese and creamy dips, so your guests can snack on foods that will help them absorb alcoholic beverages more slowly. Despite your best efforts to keep everyone sober, you might have a guest who cannot drive home safely because he or she has had too much to drink. In this situation, you may want to call a taxi for this person or offer to drive him or her home. You can find more information about your duty as a social host on our webpage.
