This pamphlet has been designed with your safety in mind. For more information please contact our Community and Youth Services Office at (519) 756-7050
Home Hosting Alcohol
"The Civil Liability"?
When you host a party you are responsible for your guests actions and behaviour. This means you can be sued if your guest drives home after drinking and is involved in a crash or if your guest starts a fight, or falls down the stairs.
You can be found liable even if you didn't personally serve your guests alcohol.
You are considered legally responsible when you host an event in your home or office, rented hall, golf course, or on municipal property - i.e. a park or community center.
Protect yourself from a lawsuit and try these tips to have a safer party:
Encourage guests to leave their cars at your home - promote the use of designated drivers.- Serve Alcohol yourself instead of having an open bar.
- Don't serve your guests to the point of intoxication.
- Don't plan activities that can be dangerous while drinking alcohol. - i.e. swimming, boating
- Keep cash on hand for taxis.
- Remember, standard servings of beer, wine and spirits all contain an equal amount of alcohol.
- Stop serving alcohol long before the party stops.
- Serve non-alcoholic beverages and have food available at all times.
- Be prepared for guests to sleep over.
- BOTTOM LINE-Don't let your guests drive while drinking
