State Official Offers Alcohol Safety Tips

The state Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is offering some advice to people who intend to provide alcohol to others as part of their holiday celebrations.

“As we enter the holiday season, I ask everyone to drink responsibly, avoid driving after drinking, and refrain from serving alcoholic beverages to anyone who appears intoxicated, or who is under the legal age of 21,” said DCP Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. Mr Farrell also is chairman of the state Liquor Control Commission.

Mr Farrell and the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Association of Connecticut are providing some advice about how to celebrate the holidays safely.

Hosts should control guests’ access to the alcohol at gatherings. Avoid serving alcohol from common sources, such as punch bowls or kegs, and monitor guests’ alcohol consumption.

Hosts should provide alternatives to alcohol, such as juice, soft drinks, and coffee.

Competitive drinking should be discouraged. Provide only one drink to a guest at a time.

Snacks and other food should be provided so that guests do not drink on empty stomachs.

Hosts should practice safe alcohol consumption to serve as a role model for their guests.

Mr Farrell also recommends that hosts stop serving alcohol at least one hour before a party concludes and also encourage their guests to have some nonalcoholic beverages before they depart.

Hosts should stop serving alcohol to anyone who is visibly intoxicated, and make sure that any intoxicated people are not left alone to prevent injury.

Finally, anyone who is intoxicated should be provided with safe transportation home.