San Diego MADD announced to San Diego DUI lawyers the following checklist during your San Diego Christmas party:
Never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age of 21, and never ask anyone under 21 to serve alcohol at parties.
Don’t let guests mix their own drinks.
Choosing a reliable “bartender” will help you keep track of the size and number of drinks that guests consume.
If a guest appears to be drinking a bit much, offer to freshen his or her drink with a non-alcoholic version.
Do not push drinks. Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good time.
Have fun, but not too much fun.
To be a good host, you should stay within your limits in order to make sure your guests stay within theirs.
Close the bar 90 minutes before the party ends and serve a great dessert treat with coffee. Remember, only time sobers someone who has been drinking.
If, despite your efforts, some of your guests have had too much to drink, drive them home, arrange for a ride with another guest who is sober, call a taxi, or invite them to stay over.
What every host needs to know:
Don’t rely on coffee or caffeine to sober up your guests. Only time can make someone sober.
Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce and a half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol.
Don’t rely on someone’s physical appearance to determine if he or she has had too much to drink.
Mixers won’t help dilute alcohol. Carbonated mixers like club soda or tonic water cause alcohol to be absorbed into a person’s system more quickly. Fruit juice and other sweet mixers mask the taste of alcohol and may cause people to drink more.
If a guest drinks too much, it may feel a bit awkward to approach them. Here are a few tips you can use:
Engage him/her in a conversation to slow down the drinking.
Offer plenty of food during the party.
Offer to make the next drink and use less alcohol.
Don’t be afraid to insist that they sit out the sipping for awhile or switch to beverages of the non-alcoholic variety sparkling cider makes a great substitute for a glass of champagne.
Avoid having to call a San Diego DUI attorney.