Make your holiday party a safe one

My colleague, Tabitha, covered some of your worst holiday disasters here. But there was one potential fiasco that didn't make the list: being responsible for a drunk friend's actions after they leave your house party. See, in many states, the so-called "dram shop liability laws" that were originally intended for pubs, clubs and other alcohol-serving establishments are now extended to homeowners hosting a holiday party, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Now that doesn't mean you should hit the cancel button on your Christmas Party e-vite. Just see after the jump for a few tips, from the III, about what you can do to make sure it's a safe and happy holiday for all.   

• Encourage guests to pick a designated driver who will refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages so that he or she can drive other guests home.
• Consider hiring a professional bartender. Most bartenders are trained to recognize signs of intoxication and will limit consumption by partygoers.
• Be a responsible host/hostess. Limit your own alcohol intake so that you will be better able to judge a person's sobriety.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages and always serve food. It is proven that food can help counter the effects of alcohol.
• Do not pressure guests to drink or rush to refill their glasses when empty. And never serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.
• Stop serving liquor toward the end of the evening and switch to coffee, tea and soft drinks.
• If guests drink too much or seem too tired to drive home, call a cab, arrange a ride with a sober guest or have them sleep at your home.
• Encourage all your guests to wear seatbelts as they drive home. Studies show that seatbelts save lives. 

And when you've got all that covered, remember to also avoid these 11 common holiday hazards.