designated driver;

 following controls as identified in this Municipal Alcohol Policy.

Reduce your risk by hiring a licensed caterer or bartender who has completed Smart Serve training. Smart Serve covers topics such as recognizing and preventing intoxication, dealing with guests who have had too much to drink, and meeting your legal responsibilities.

Signs of Intoxication

• Fumbling
• Change in speech volume or pace
• Slurred speech
• Sleepiness
• Red eyes

• Excessive sweating
• Decreased alertness
• Stumbling or weaving
• Noticeably shallow breathing

Tips for a Safe Event

As a Host, keeping your guests from drinking excessively should be your primary concern. Here are some tips you can put into practice to make your next event a safe one:

Tip 1 - Plan ahead

• Station the bar far from the door, in a spot where people aren't always passing it.
• Hire a professional bartender who has been trained by SMART SERVE. Insist that he or she use a jigger to measure spirits. If your budget allows, hire a caterer with trained staff. Caterers can include both independent operators and restaurants that carry catering endorsements.
• Provide seating, arranged flexibly, so that people can sit down to talk in groups.
• Don't plan to have servers circulating around the room refilling people's glasses. People often accept drinks they don't really need.
• Don't plan physical activities like swimming, skiing, snowmobiling or skating when you serve alcohol. People are more prone to accidents when they've been drinking.
• Do not allow the number of guests to exceed the legal capacity of the premises.

Tip 2 - Develop safe serving practices

• Serve drinks to guests rather than offering a self-serve bar. A self-serve bar encourages heavy drinking and denies bartenders the opportunity to assess the condition of your guests.
• Serve sugar-free ginger ale, tonic and other mixers, wherever possible (sugar can speed up the consumption of alcohol).