Safety

Updated: September 1, 2022

Safety Notes for Guests:

While the safest option may be to avoid both drinking and going to places where alcohol is served, there are ways to have a safe night out that involves alcohol. Planning to drink moderately is one step toward a safer night out.

Planning a safe way to get home before even leaving the house is another step. But making informed decisions about the clubs and bars you go to, paying attention to the surroundings once inside, and staying in the company of trusted friends can also go a long way toward lowering the risk of alcohol-related harms.

1. If you choose to drink

If you are planning to drink when going out, it's a good idea to avoid overdoing it. Drinking too much puts you at risk of making bad choices that may seem fun or funny at the time but may cost you afterwards in terms of your health, relationships, money or the law. Here are some tips for drinking moderately:

• Set limits and stick to them
• Drink slowly
• Alternate alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
• Eat before and while drinking
• Stick to one substance at a time (alcohol can magnify the effects of cannabis and some other drugs in unpredictable ways)

ACCORDING TO CANADA'S LOW-RISK DRINKING GUIDELINES -

• From late teens to age 24, youth should never have more than 2 drinks (for females) or 3 drinks (for males) in a day.

For adults, women who wish to avoid intoxication should have no more than 3 drinks on a single occasion while men should have no more than 4 drinks.

2. Deciding where to go

When deciding which bars or clubs to go to, it's best to opt for places that offer the least risks. It's safest, for instance, to choose establishments that are located away from clusters of other bars and do not allow over-crowding. A lot of the risk around alcohol is related to consuming it in crowded places. And it's a good idea to select an establishment that puts an effort into providing a safe environment. Incidents of aggression and assault are most often linked with places that ignore standard serving and safety practices.

Recognizing potential risks and being aware of practices associated with safer establishments can help you to minimize alcohol-related harms to yourself and your friends. Here are some things to look for when choosing a bar or club.

Outdoor environment. Take a good look at the outside area of the establishment. When a bar or club has clean, clear sidewalk space and queuing areas, patrons are less likely to suffer falls and injuries related to line-ups and mobility problems. Fully-lit outdoor areas deter people from engaging in disorderly behaviour, while allowing patrons to see more of their surroundings and feel safer when they are heading home. And where security cameras are present, there tends to be less misconduct and violence outside the establishment.

Indoor environment. Look around inside, paying attention to the layout and lighting. Bars or dubs with multiple floors (as opposed to a single floor) make it easier for customers to see and be seen by staff in the event a conflict erupts in a crowd. Clear pathways and exits make it easier for people to move through an establishment without bumping into others and potentially triggering an altercation. Comfortable lighting, seating, sound and ventilation keep patrons calmer and less likely to become frustrated. Sufficient, well-lit washrooms reduce patrons' risk of becoming victims of assault and other crimes.

Servers and security staff. Observe the way staff members conduct themselves and treat customers. Staff who demonstrate specialized skills, such as the ability to defuse conflict and tactfully stop serving people when they've had too much to drink, are more likely to be associated with places that put an effort into training and safety practices. Door security staff who regularly check identification are more likely to work for bars or clubs that value both the law and customers.

Safe transportation options. Check for the availability of ways to get home safely. Establishments that have accessible telephones and taxi services, offer safe-ride options, or are close to major bus routes, show they put emphasis on helping their customers to plan a safe way home.

3. Staying in the company of friends

Minimizing the risk of alcohol-related harms is not just about where you go. Who you go out with and who you might link up with also affect the potential for adverse consequences. When going out, stay in the company of trusted friends. That way, you have someone to ask for help if a situation happens that feels unsafe or unpleasant. It's also important to be aware of where security staff are situated in case you need assistance.

Safety Notes for Event Hosts:

1. Dealing with Spiked Drinks

You may run the safest bar in town, but something can happen in the blink of an eye. Make sure you have enough bartenders on staff so that they are able to watch out for suspicious behavior. Nightclub security tasks such as these need to be part of every employee's job description. If the bartender is too busy, they may place the drink in front of a customer and move on without making sure the person who ordered it notices it.

These brief moments of a drink being left unattended can be crucial. Having adequate staff allows your bartender to take that extra moment to hand the drink over and give the customer the attention they need to make sure their drink, and your bar, is safe.

Implement policies to keep customers safe - If a customer buys a drink for someone else—especially someone they don't know—deliver the drink directly to the person it's intended for. Both the server and the person receiving the drink know that it's directly from the server and hasn't been tampered with, and the person buying the drink has successfully completed their transaction.

2. Monitoring the outside of your bar or club

Outside of a bar or club can get really busy and overwhelming. You've got people lining up, meeting their friends, and stepping out for a smoke, all in the same area. You can hire an extra bouncer, but that isn't the only way to improve outdoor bar safety. Be proactive about your nightclub's security by installing proper lighting, while an effective security camera setup will inform customers that you've got an eye out for them, no matter where they are.

Security cameras can actually prevent issues - Business security cameras aren't just great because they provide a bird's eye view of the situation; they also act as a deterrent for people who are acting up. If a group of rowdy people outside notice the cameras, they will often step back and decide to move on without causing a commotion. Don't be shy about putting up signs so it's clear to everyone that you're always watching.

Worry less with proper lighting - Lighting is also important. Keeping the front entrance, back doors, and any alleyways well lit deters any kind of bad behavior. Having proper lighting also makes it easier for your security cameras system to pick up clear images of anything going on, so you'll be prepared to forward it to the cops if need be.

3. Help your customers find their friends

It's not unusual for a group of people to get separated while at a bar, especially when it is crowded. Teach your staff to identify people who are looking for their friends and help them find their groups. It may seem like it takes your staff away from their assigned jobs, but it's important to help your customers feel safe. Reconnecting these groups will be easier with your staff helping because they will know the best places to look.

It also gives the separated friend someone trustworthy to talk to while they are alone. This added customer service improves your bar security as well as leaves a lasting impression in the minds of those patrons your staff has helped out.

4. Identify overserved customers

Your bartenders have a huge responsibility in serving alcohol to people. They have to check IDs, monitor drinks, and make sure people aren't drinking too much.

If someone has too much to drink, it poses a risk to the customers and staff in your establishment. Give your bartenders training and backup whenever they need it so they are comfortable refusing to serve customers. Helping them know the signs to watch for when identifying someone who has had too much will make your nightclub a safer and happier place to enjoy long evenings.

5. Train your bouncers to handle difficult situations

If you're able to employ a bouncer at your establishment, that'ss great, but you need to make sure they are trained properly. Your bouncer needs to be able to identify and deescalate situations quickly and efficiently.

Bouncers can help prevent drunk driving - While that'ss a huge responsibility on its own, they are also your last line of defense for people leaving your bar. Encourage them to try and watch for inebriated customers leaving, so they can make sure that no inebriated customers are planning to drive home.

They can help to call Ubers for customers who shouldn'st be driving and potentially prevent some real tragedies by simply speaking up. Empower them with the tools needed to help them understand suspicious and troublesome behavior as much as possible.

6. Help your customers get home safely

At the end of the night, make sure that bouncers, bartenders, servers, and managers are keeping an eye on the customers. They may be getting antsy to leave for the night and get a head start on the cleaning procedures. However, making sure that the staff stays alert and watches for customers getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is an important part of their job.

Don't give customers the opportunity to get behind the wheel while intoxicated - If your staff sees an intoxicated person about to get behind the wheel, get them to call an Uber. If the intoxicated customer refuses the ride, call the police and report them. If at all possible, offer free overnight parking for customers who need to leave their cars. You can also try to get promotional discount codes from Uber to give your customers an incentive to do the safe and responsible thing when leaving your bar.

7. Locate and recover stolen items quickly

It's incredibly important that your customers feel safe in your bar. While people should be responsible for keeping an eye on their belongings, it's extremely beneficial to be able to offer support to your customers when needed. If they discover that their purse was stolen, their coat was taken out of coat-check, or even if their drink was taken, they are going to come to you and ask for your help. It's a win-win to be able to offer them the assistance they need. While you are at it, consider our tips on safe security so your money doesn't go missing.

Use the tools on hand: security cameras - If you have a security camera system in place, you can help them track down the item and maybe figure out who stole it. Even if you can't get the item back for them, at the very least they know that you're willing to help them try.

Resources

Remember — even if you follow these tips, no method of risk reduction is perfect. If you have a negative experience, please know that it is not your fault and help is available. Report any incidents Tinder, and consider reaching out to one of the resources below. If you feel you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911 (U.S. or Canada) or your local law enforcement agency.

Cyber Civil Rights Initiative

1-844-878-2274 | www.cybercivilrights.org

VictimConnect - Crime Victim Resurce Center

1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) | www.victimconnect.org

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

www.ic3.gov

LGBT National Help Center

1-888-843-4564 | www.lgbtnationalhelpcenter.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 | www.thehotline.org

National Human Trafficking Hotline

1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 | www.humantraffickinghotline.org

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

1-877-739-3895 | www.nsvrc.org

All Sober

www.allsober.com/Community

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admiration

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) | https://www.samhsa.gov

American Addictions Centers

866-959-1203 | https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/alcohol-drug-hotline