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Party Design

Be Neighborly
One of the worst things that can happen is to disturb your neighbors. No one wants to deal with disgruntled neighbors who may call the police or complain to your landlord. These problems can be easily avoided by taking the following steps:

Notify Neighbors	Let them know they can call you or if there are any disturbances. This way you can avoid a violation of the Blacksburg Noise Ordinance.
Respect Your Neighbor’s Rights	Remember, just as you do, your neighbors have the right to an environment free from unreasonable disturbances and high-risk behaviors that put them and other community members at-risk.
Correct Outside Disturbances	Be alert to and correct any outside disturbances or violations of the town’s noise ordinance.
Clean Up Outside	Police the area after the party or the next morning.

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Keep Your Guests Safe
There are a number of things you need to be concerned bout, including alcohol overdose, drinking and driving, high-risk drinking, arguments, fights, and harassment.

Know About Alcohol Overdose	There are a number of early warning signs and at-risk behaviors that increase the risk for alcohol overdose. Take notice of these behaviors, as they indicate that person may experience difficulties at some point in the evening. The best time to intervene is when you notice a person is engaging in these behaviors. Some of the early signs of risk include: Drinking quickly, playing drinking games, multiple shots, and chugging or funneling drink; Vomiting; and Mixing alcohol and other drugs. Learn more about alcohol overdoses here.
Monitor Guests	Be aware of guest who are drinking quickly, playing drinking games, or engaging in other "high-risk" behaviors.
	Assume responsibility to help a guest who may have had too much to drink. Be alert to possible alcohol overdose. Remember that the first sign of an overdose is usually vomiting.
	Be aware of potentially violent situations, including arguments, and racial, religious, and sexual harassment.
	See that any intoxicated individuals have a safe way home (i.e., a sober escort), or make adequate accommodations for them to stay over night.
Provide Non-Drinking Drivers	Consider providing non-drinking designated drivers for those who may have had too much to drink.
Getting Home Safe	Make sure women have a safe ride home.
	Don't allow guests to drink and drive. Many people take the keys when people arrive so they have an opportunity to intervene before they leave. For tips on how to intervene visit SPEAK UP.
	If someone refuses not to drink and drive try and convince other guests not to ride with them. Passengers are usually the one's killed or seriously injured in drinking and driving accidents. For tips on how to intervene visit SPEAK UP.

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The Party Environment
The environment where you are having the event can have a substantial influence on people’s behavior at the party. You can avoid many problem situations before they start with a little preplanning.

Party Entrance	Place a sign at the entrance indicating your house rules, for example: No funneling or shot gunning; No drinking games; No underage drinking allowed.
	Take the keys to ensure no one drinks and drives.
	If you are serving alcohol, ID guests and identify those of legal drinking age.
Atmosphere	Create an environment that allows your guests to feel comfortable making “low-risk” drinking choices, including choosing not to drink.
	Emphasize friendship, conversation and other activities rather than drinking alcohol.
	If you have a party theme, be sure that it does not revolve around alcohol.
	Be a good role model for others by modeling the behavior you expect of your guests, Model legal, safe and appropriate behaviors.
	Offer activities for your guests (i.e., games, dancing, contests) that do not involve alcohol use.
	Remember that alcohol is not essential for enjoying social events. The real value of social events is being with friends and family.
Beverages	Have and offer nonalcoholic beverages.
	If you are serving alcohol, serve low-alcohol beverages (i.e., light beer) and refuse to serve anyone who is visibly intoxicated.
	Have shots/jiggers available to deliver measured amounts of alcohol.
	Provide bar service, especially for liquor.
Food	Provide food and snacks, or have your guests them bring snacks. You should always have food when alcohol is served, as it slows the absorption of alcohol.
Food	Avoid salty foods when possible.

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Respect Guests Low-Risk Choices
The environment where you are having the event can have a substantial influence on people’s behavior at the party. You can avoid many problem situations before they start with a little preplanning.

For those who choose to drink, “low-risk” consumption is acceptable. Affirm those who choose to drink alcohol legally, safely, and appropriately and support those who choose not to drink.
Do not force alcohol on your guests or allow others to exert these types of pressures.

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Keep Things Under Control
To ensure your safety and that of your guests there are a number of things you can do both before and during a party. Follow the following guidelines and problems will be avoided.

Before the Party	Prepare and post your "House Rules."
Before the Party	Allow only invited guests to stay at your gathering. Letting in people you do not know can cause a multiple of problems, including arguments, fights, and disruptive behavior.
During the Party	Have at least one person who is not drinking to handle any problems that may arise. You might want a few more if it is a large gathering. A sober person available to handle police, medical emergencies, or other disturbances will be invaluable.
	Discourage or do not allow guests to engage in “high-risk” drinking. Drunk guests are the primary source if problems. For tips on how to intervene visit SPEAK UP.
	If you are providing alcohol, it is best to serve all drinks to guests rather than having an open bar. In this way you can keep an eye on those guests who may be overindulging.
	Stop serving alcohol about one hour before you want the party to end. This will help ensure your guests safety on their way home.
	Call the police immediately if things begin to get out of control. There assistance will be greatly appreciated. You would be surprised how things will calm done when you announce that the police have been called.
After the Party	Don't allow guests to linger outside, as this is a primary source of noise for your neighbors.

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Obey Virginia Laws
It is also important that you are aware of Virginia law concerning alcohol use and the possible criminal and civil penalties. You can be held both criminally and civilly liable for violations of the law. As a social host, you can be sued for damages, injury, or death and even held criminally responsible for the actions of those you serve.

A Few Pointers on Class 1 Misdemeanors	A Class 1 Misdemeanor and punishable by a $2,500 fine, 12 months in jail, and up to 100 hours of community service. In addition, it will give you a permanent criminal record that can effect future job prospects, your right to purchase a gun, and your ability to obtain licenses and bonding often necessary when opening your own business. The following are all Class 1 Misdemeanors:
	Providing false information on keg registration.
	Charging for alcohol without an ABC license. Think you won't be arrested? Arrests in Blacksburg for this offense are up by 300% in the last year and will continue to rise.
	Serving or purchasing alcohol for those who are not of legal drinking age (21 in Virginia).
	Using a Fake ID to establish a false identity (i.e., using someone else's ID to purchase alcohol).
Know and Obey the Law	For more information see: Virginia Commonwealth Alcohol Statutes

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