Don't Let Your Halloween Become a Nightmare

Don't Let Your Halloween Become a Nightmare - Celebrate Responsibly

by Joy Spencer

Halloween is quickly approaching, and will be especially busy with it landing on a Friday this year.

Halloween should be a fun, festive and safe celebration for everyone. Sadly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Halloween is one of the year’s most dangerous holidays on the road due to alcohol-related crashes caused by those who drink and drive after parties and festivities. In 2012, 48 percent of all crash fatalities on Halloween night involved a drunk driver.

Here are some tips and reminders for party-goers, party planners, and business owners to plan ahead for Halloween safety.

Don’t serve alcohol to minors. The legal drinking age is 21 and, as a host, it is your responsibility to make sure minors aren’t drinking.
If you’re going to drink alcohol, make plans now for a safe ride home.
Party hosts should provide lots of food and non-alcoholic drinks to help guests pace themselves.
Bars or restaurants that are hosting costume parties, should make that sure customers are recognizable without masks and elaborate make up when checking ID.
Have the number of a cab company or public transit tickets available for guests or customers who’ve had too much.
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call your local law enforcement immediately.
Drive slowly and watch for children and party-goers crossing the streets.
Please remember that masks can impair your vision. If you are walking from place to place on Halloween night, the combination of alcohol and masks can be dangerous.
It may be difficult to judge a patron's/guest's level of intoxication when they are in character, such as Jack Sparrow.
Be extra diligent when monitoring patrons in your bar, restaurant or private party.

Stay safe and keep others safe around you by celebrating the holiday responsibly, and have a spooktacular time!

Comments

Can I see your ID, please?

From time to time, we receive questions on whether the OLCC requires anyone buying or being served alcohol to have a valid ID on them. The OLCC requires licensees to check ID of anyone who reasonably appears 26 years old or younger. An establishment might have a restriction on their liquor license due to a history of serving alcohol to minors or allowing minors in prohibited areas. In this case, it could be that a licensed business is required to check the ID of every person entering the establishment or being sold/served alcoholic beverages. Or, a business can choose to have a stricter ID policy than what the state requires. If you’re at a restaurant with your underage friend or relative, you might not be served - even if you have the ID to show you’re of age. Some businesses will refuse service if they suspect that you might furnish the alcoholic beverage to a minor at your table. Current accepted forms of ID include a valid state driver license with a photo; a valid DMV ID card wit...

Who has the lowest liquor prices?

by Christie Scott You may have heard some say that liquor is cheaper in California. The facts are that only a handful of products are significantly lower, while most products are very competitive. In fact, after you’ve added in the California sales tax, many popular products in Oregon are actually less expensive. Many retail stores in states like California use a sales tactic called “loss leaders.” This is the practice of drastically marking down a few popular, fast-moving products to entice customers into coming into the store and purchasing other products. But then other products are likely marked higher to make up the cost difference. The OLCC does not use these techniques to entice people into liquor stores. For public safety reasons, the state does not try to encourage alcohol sales or try to entice people into the stores. The most common size bottle sold in Oregon is 750 ml also known as "fifths." Most people who purchase alcohol purchase this size - a...

Self-serve alcohol not allowed under Oregon statute

The perspectives on self-serve are derived from years of study into public safety and the positive effects of human interaction during alcohol purchases. Recently, a new product, the Enomatic Wine Preservation System has appeared in the Northwest. The machine provides a longer shelf-life and a measured pour, reducing waste and saving money. An extra feature is the Enomatic Wine Card, which allows a patron to purchase a pre-paid card then self-serve their wine at the machine. Every Oregon business that serves alcohol is required by Oregon statute to have a person with a valid service permit sell, mix and dispense alcoholic beverages. As long as a valid service permit holder dispenses the wine, the Enomatic Wine Preservation System is legally compliant. Several machines are currently being used in Oregon, but they are behind the bar and are operated legally by servers with valid permits. It is worth mentioning that the Enomatic Wine Card can also serve a function behind the bar to pre...

Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

Search This Blog