Police Issue Responsible Holiday Hosting Tips

Alcohol is often a staple at holiday gatherings and Newport Beach police want to make sure hosts who offer it take precautions to make sure family and friends get home safe.

Holiday Hosting Safety Tips:

• Designate sober drivers - As guests RSVP to your holiday party, make sure at least one person in each group agrees to be the non-drinking designated driver.

• Avoid mixers - They 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.

• Serve plenty of food, but avoid salty snacks - Food helps prevent guests from drinking on an empty stomach, which causes guests to get intoxicated faster. Stay away from serving salty snacks, they tend to make people thirsty and drink more!

• Offer non-alcoholic beverages - Give beverage options that don’t involve alcohol to designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.

• Respect the law - Never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age of 21, and never ask children to serve alcohol at parties.

• Be ready to grab the keys -  Despite your efforts, if 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.