Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy entertaining guests in your home. In fact, you could make the argument that the cooler temperatures make for perfect party weather, whether you’re firing up the grill outside or camping around the big-screen TV to watch some football.
Fun is fun, of course, but you also want to keep your guests and your home safe while you’re toasting the kids’ return to school or celebrating a touchdown. While you never want to be one of “those people” who schedules his or her fun, there’s nothing wrong with strategizing ways to enjoy your party.
The following are some steps you can take to party down without messing up:
1. The bite is worse than the bark
You love your dog, and you know it wouldn’t hurt a fly under normal circumstances. But even the most docile dog can freak out when there are crowds around – particularly if the crowd makes it difficult for the critter to find its owner/best friend.
What’s the worst that could happen? A guest – maybe one that’s uncomfortable around animals to begin with – could get bit. That could pose a big problem. How big? According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites accounted for more than $483 million in liability claims paid out in 2013. The average payout topped $27,850. So consider crating your dog or setting up a place for it in your home to prevent it from coming in contact with your guests.
2. Go on a danger hunt
Before party day, scour the house and yard for anything that could cause a guest to slip and fall. Clear clutter out of the yard, make sure steps and step railings aren’t loose, and check the deck for nails or other problems that could hide from your guests. Give the interior of the house a similar treatment. Keep your eyes peeled for rugs that might skid, faulty stair railings, and electrical cords just waiting to trip a friend.
If someone does trip and injure himself or herself, you can turn to your home insurance policy for help. It offers two types of liability coverage – one that can help if the guest files a lawsuit and one that can help pay his or her medical costs if there’s no legal action.
3. First things first
When you’re having a large number of folks over, one of the biggest favors you can do for them is to give them guidance on parking. If there’s a nearby lot where they won’t get towed, let them know. If you need them to park on a side street, give them suggestions of places where their cars will be safe.
4. The key thing
You’ve taken care of getting the guests there safely, now make sure they stay safe. If you’re going to serve alcohol, collect keys as the price of admission. That means guests will have to find you before they leave, which will give you a chance to evaluate their sobriety. It’s not judging guests to call a cab to get them home safely or set them up to spend the night at your place. You’re helping them avoid trouble on the highway and helping yourself avoid it in the courtroom – you could be held responsible if they cause an accident.
5. Hire a bartender
Of course you might not feel comfortable judging the sobriety of your guests. One way to get past that is to hire a bartender, who is trained to make that kind of call. A bartender will also know if certain guests have had a large amount of alcohol and keep you abreast of who may need a ride home.
6. Be snacky – the case for queso
Yes, we’re harping on alcohol – because of the threat it poses to you and your home. Of course you want your guests to have a great time, but you also want to make sure they don’t hurt themselves or others while doing it. One sneaky way to manage alcohol consumption is to serve food. Whether you serve snacks or a full dinner, some food may help guests from getting too intoxicated.
7. Last call
We promise this is the last alcohol-related suggestion. But not the least, because as the party nears closing time, the stakes get higher. Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the gathering breaks up, longer if you can. Bars do it, and they have a lot more experience with “entertaining” than you do!
8. Call it a night
People harp on drunk driving, but drowsy driving presents a huge threat as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimate that 2.5% of fatal vehicle crashes involve drowsy driving. What does this mean for your party? Set a time limit so that guests can get on the road before they – and other drivers – are too tired.
With proper planning, you can put many of these precautions in place well before the festivities begin. That means you can have fun, too, especially in the knowledge that your plans will keep your home and your guests protected.
Arthur Murray writes for HomeInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering comparative automobile and home insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeInsurance.com for the most competitive rates from the top-rated insurance carriers in the country. The HomeInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and home buyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
HomeInsurance.com is an online insurance resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering comparative homeowners and automobile insurance rates, consumers rely on HomeInsurance.com for the most competitive rates from the top-rated insurance carriers in the country. The HomeInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
