By Sammy K
College is prime partying time and we all do it at one time or another, but have you ever hosted a party of your own? Invited lots of people over kind of party? If you have and are considering doing it again, it probably went off without a hitch; for all you newbie party planners, heed the following advice and keep yourself and your guests out of trouble and danger.
Set an age group restriction and stick with it. Are you 21+ and planning on having alcohol at the party? Make sure all of your guests are also of legal drinking age, or else you can face legal penalties for providing alcohol to minors. That’s a big no-no.
Be courteous to your neighbors and let them know you’re going to be having a party. Give them a number to reach you at in case any issues arise. Do your best to keep noise at an acceptable level and confined to your apartment. Normal living sounds, such as walking and running water, are nothing to worry about. If your music is too loud or your guests are rowdy and shouting, your neighbors might not be very tolerable and the police may show up at your door. Believe it or not, you can get a ticket for being too loud, so don’t!
If you’re serving alcohol, collect car keys or verify designated drivers. Keep an eye on the designated drivers throughout the evening and ensure that they’re not drinking. If you find a designated driver consuming alcohol, confiscate their keys. Keep a list of names and numbers of taxi services available in case it’s needed. Not only because you care about your friends, but you could be saving their and others’ lives. If an accident occurs due to drunk driving, you could be held responsible for providing the alcohol. Please look out for your friends and yourself.
Be sure to know all of your guests personally. You don’t want to be responsible for someone you don’t know and you don’t want any of your stuff to go missing! In the case that a few unexpected guests show up, keep an eye out on your belongings and never accept drinks from strangers.
Don’t leave the premises with a drink in hand. You can be arrested for drinking in public. Also, don’t go anywhere near your car, even if to just get in and grab something. If a police officer sees you entering your vehicle with keys, you could get busted for intent of drinking and driving.
Keep your guest list at a reasonable number. Don’t invite tons of people for a party in a two bedroom apartment. If it gets really packed and out of control, you can also be busted for hosting a large, unlicensed after-hours party.
In the event that the police or security turn up, cooperate with them. Make sure your guests cooperate the best they can as well. Things go a lot smoother when you don’t hassle the officers. Also, they’re going to be nicer and listen to you more understandably if you’re respectful. Don’t make trouble worse!
If you’re considering a party, please ensure that you take the above steps in order to keep everyone safe and out of trouble. A good time can quickly turn into a nightmare, both physically and legally, so take the proper precautions and make sure your good time is just that.