Holiday Party Safety Tips

Serving alcohol?

• If drinkers have not prearranged a designated driver, provide one. Or call a cab.
• Remind guests to monitor their alcohol intake. Sure, they are adults and need to be responsible, but it’s your party. Take the initiative to cut them off or call a cab if they are clearly exceeding their limits.
• Encourage drinkers to also eat hearty; drinking on an empty stomach leads to no good end.
• Close the bar at least 90 minutes before the festivities are scheduled to end. Bring out the coffee and a final desert or snacks to let guests wind down before heading home.
• Provide plenty of alternative nonalcoholic beverages. Drinkers can slow down or “water down” their intake. Nondrinkers will appreciate not being pressured to partake (and you’ll preserve a pool of potential designated drivers).

When planning your menu:

• The No. 1 food safety rule is to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
• Always replenish food by serving it on a clean plate. You risk contamination if you add more food to a plate that has been sitting out.
• Wash hands before and after food handling.
• Minimize contamination from guest hands by presenting food on multiple smaller platters rather than one large one.
• Do not let food sit at room temperature for more than two hours (one hour if temperature is above 85 degrees, such as at a picnic). Keep replenishment food in the cooler, refrigerator or oven until ready to serve.