Hosting a party at home or at a local venue can be great fun. You’ll want to have a night your guests will remember for all the right reasons. As a host it is your responsibility to ensure your guests party safe!
Make entrance to the party by invitation only – this will discourage gatecrashers. Don’t advertise your party on Facebook/My Space or the internet.
Clearly state on your invitation if the party is no alcohol permitted BYO (bring your own) alcohol or whether alcohol will be supplied. If you don’t allow people to BYO it is easier to control the amount of alcohol that is served.
As the host you should not get intoxicated so that any problems can be dealt with effectively.
It’s your party and you have the right to ask people to leave.
Consider using a private security guard for your party. They can assist by politely asking uninvited or unruly people to leave. A guard can check attendees off a list as they arrive and stop any alcohol being brought into the venue if appropriate.
Arrange parental supervision or the presence of additional adults to help keep trouble to a minimum. Ensure adequate supervision around the swimming pool if necessary.
Let your neighbours know about your party in advance as this may reduce concerns about parking or noise later.
Keep noise to a minimum especially after midnight by looking at the position or direction of your sound system speakers. Excessive noise from your party can be reported to police 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Noise is the most common reason police are called to a party. Police may issue a noise abatement direction (NAD) after receiving a complaint about excessive noise and if another complaint is received within 12 hours of the first police can seize and remove the property that is producing or contributing to the production of the noise. The seized property can be collected on a business day at least 24 hours after it was seized.
Plan what to do if a guest becomes sick or intoxicated. Ensure your first aid kit is well stocked and easy to access.
Ensure access to a phone. Have taxi company numbers handy to assist with guests getting home safely afterwards. Consider pre-booking taxis to help get guests home safely at the end of your party.
Register your party at least TWO WEEKS beforehand at your local police station. Registering your party doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider arranging private security. Registration forms are available from the “Party Safe” website.
Have relevant telephone numbers available at the party including the police ambulance taxi company and contact details for parents of young people attending.
Issue personal invitations that include start and finish times and are required for entry to the party.
Make decisions about alcohol use and let guests know on the invitation and at the start of the party.
Plan for adequate food and non-alcoholic drinks to be available for guests.
Ensure adequate responsible adult supervision is available for the party. Ask other parents or friends to assist and decide how obvious parents will be.
Ensure the venue for your party is suitably equipped for the number of people invited. Consider:
Size of venue
Seating and tables available
Adequate lighting in all areas
Supervise access to your home. Ensure all valuables are locked away and that any out-of-bounds areas are adequately secured.
Encourage guests to arrange their own transport to and from the party. Encourage parents to collect their children at the end of the party.
No matter how careful you are there is a chance that there will be some trouble at your party. You might be faced with verbal arguments between guests people making excessive noise or even physical intimidation or violence. As a host you have the right to set the standard of acceptable behaviour and ensure that it is maintained at your party.
In the case of a situation that you cannot handle contact your local
police station or in an emergency ring 000.
For more information go to the “Party Safe” website at: www.police.qld.gov.au/party