‘Tis the party season! The holidays are a great time to connect with your community and celebrate a great year of accomplishments—but it must be done with safety top of mind. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people killed in drunk driving accidents triples between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.
Give the details of your gathering careful thought before the party is planned to avoid the world’s worst holiday hangover: LIABILITY.
Location, Location, Location
It’s not anything, it’s everything. Here’s a great rule of thumb: host the party at a public place. (Preferably one you don’t own.) The best venue for your holiday gathering is a remote location such as a restaurant or a bar with a liquor license. Whether or not they charge per head or you treat your guests, if the party is not in your facility, you will be more protected in the event someone is injured either at the party or on the way home.
To charge or not to charge?
If you are having a party at your facility and charging per head, then you could be liable for anything that happens during or after the party. Even taking a casual collection for pizza, beers or booze changes the rules of the game. Once you collect money before or at the party, you need additional insurance protection.
Let’s pre-game the party
The best party planning you can do is while you’re on the phone with AGuard. Laws vary from state to state, so it’s best to give us a call so we can discuss your specific situation. The only way to truly cover yourself in the event something catastrophic happens at your holiday gathering is to purchase a special event policy.
These policies are more cost-effective than you might think, especially when compared to a lawsuit. We will not sell you coverage you don’t need, but we will look into the details of your policy in the context of your holiday plans to be sure of the safety of you and your guests.
We probably don’t need to remind you that drinking and fitness don’t mix, so if you do decide to host your holiday gathering in your fitness facility, please make a hands-off all equipment rule. Wrestling (bodies on the ground or arms via tabletop) can go south real quick. Best to keep it clean and limit the cardio to dancing.
1998
What a great year. Hard to believe that anyone born in 1998 is already 21, but it’s true. Anyone born after this year is not old enough to drink. Whether you personally agree with that or not, it’s the law. Holiday parties are no exception.
Stay alive, don’t drink and drive
No matter where you gather for your holiday cheer, make a plan for designated drivers. Offer incentives and call for volunteers to ensure everyone gets home safe. In today’s world where resources like Uber and Lyft are just a few clicks and minutes away, there’s never an excuse for drinking and driving. Liability aside, it would be impossible to recover from a senseless tragedy due to one poor decision.
Lead by example
Remember that you set the tone as the owner of your business for the holiday gathering. Enjoy your festivities responsibly and chances are—your guests will too. Serve plenty of food and cut the booze off a solid 90 minutes before the party is over and your guests will thank you in the morning.
The team at AGuard wishes you and yours a happy, healthy and SAFE holiday season! Let us help you PARTY PROTECTED.
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