Ready to host a party? Here are some tips to ensure a fun and successful party!

Hosting a party means you are also responsible for the safety and wellbeing of your guests. Become familiar with local laws and policies, in order to avoid unnecessary disputes with neighbors or law enforcement.


Pre-Party Planning

• Let your neighbors know you will be hosting a party, if you haven't invited them already. Give them your contact information so they can contact you before calling the police if it gets too noisy. 
• Make a guest list and know who your guests are. Restrict the entrance/exit to one door, to make guest regulation easier.
• Designate one person to be in charge of alcohol. Have that person pour and mix drinks, rather than allowing guests to do it themselves, in order to avoid high risk drinking, and running out of alcohol too quickly. 
• ​Provide water and other non-alcoholic beverages for guests who don't want to drink alcohol, and so guests can stay hydrated and alternate between drinks. Alternating between alcoholic beverages and water will help prevent hangovers, blackouts, or getting sick.

Day of the Party

• Tidy the place up. A house that looks like a dump will be treated like one.
• Don't be afraid to act as a bystander if you're concerned about the safety of a friend/guest, or see them in an uncomfortable situation (i.e. letting a stranger take them home because they're too drunk, pressuring others to drink more than they want, and etc). Here are some tips on how you can be an active bystander.
• ​Have one main entrance to the party, closing off all other access routes to discourage other possible ways of entry, and to help regulate guests. 
• Close and lock doors to bedrooms and other personal areas to keep your personal belongings safe and secure. Use furniture (i.e. couches) to block off and restrict areas inside your house if needed.
• Keep an eye on your guests, and don't be afraid to call 911 if you notice signs of alcohol poisoning. You will NOT get in trouble by the police if you make the call, you could be saving someone's life. 
• Make sure your guests have a safe way to get home! 
• Be aware of the noise ordinance in IV, in order to avoid getting a ticket. Noise ordinance is in effect from 10pm - 7am Sunday - Thursday, and 12am - 7am Friday - Saturday. Keep in mind these times vary during Halloween and Deltopia weekends. 

​Adapted from UC Davis' Safe Party website