If you are hosting a holiday party, consider taking these precautions.
* Make sure your walkways and steps are clear and well-lit. Shovel the snow, melt the ice and check for any tripping hazards.
* Put your personal information in a secure place, including bills and documents with sensitive information, bank statements and credit card statements. Keep purses and wallets out of sight.
* Put away your calendar with vacations and appointments listed on it.
* Remove small valuables that could be broken or stolen. Lock doors to rooms you don't want people to go into.
* Be responsible about serving alcohol. The Insurance Information Institute (iii.org) reports that more than 30 states allow hosts to be found liable if an inebriated guest causes an accident.
* Plan all-inclusive entertainment so guests have something to do besides eating and drinking.
* Serve high-protein foods and snacks. Serve coffee instead of liquor for an hour before guests are scheduled to leave.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
