Parties may be fun, but planning one takes a lot of work. Hosts and planning helpers must organize hundreds of details, including invitations, decorations, food, drinks, music, and activities. The bigger the party, the more extensive planning can be.
With so many details to worry about, it can be easy to forget the most important part of any event: keeping people safe. Parties that continue after dark often have even greater associated risks.
If you’re hosting any bash in the evening, from weddings to graduation parties, use the following tips to keep all of your guests safe:
Prevent Trips
Nighttime parties that take place outdoors make trips and falls especially probable. Be sure that the paths to vehicles, bathrooms, and any other location are sufficiently lit and kept clear to avoid stumbles. Consider adding small lights to line paths for greater visibility and fewer trips.
Tent rentals after dark are a surefire way to cause both adults and kids to stumble over guy lines. Prevent party tent rentals from being tripfests by cutting pool noodles and slipping them over the ropes to help guests see them. You can also loop a glow bracelet around the peg that secures the tent rope to warn people of their presence.
Have a Plan
When inviting large numbers of people to an event, be prepared for emergencies ahead of time. Consider getting event insurance with liability coverage. Designate a few people to remain sober at adult parties, and ask them to make sure no one drinks too much or attempts to drink and drive. Have plenty of water on hand, too, for maximum hydration (and minimum hangovers). Keep a few first-aid kits handy for minor cuts or burns. Be sure that you have ample parking, too, to help avoid vehicle accidents at night.
Be Smarter than What You’re Working With
Finally, if your nighttime event will involve any kind of equipment or flames, make sure that responsible and knowledgeable adults are involved. Don’t let intoxicated people be in charge of fireworks. If you’re hosting a pool party, avoid water dangers by not overcrowding the pool and by assigning trustworthy people to stand in as party lifeguards. Or, just keep people out of the pool after dark.
Using these tips, you can protect your guests and your property from nighttime party shenanigans. Have fun, but not too much fun, to keep everyone safe after dark.