Wednesday, March 18, 2009

You Can Make a Difference in Patron Safety this St. Patrick's Day

Austin, Texas - March 16, 2008 - As Ireland's national holiday of St. Patrick's Day approaches this year, millions of Americans will find themselves celebrating along with the Emerald Isle whether they are Irish or not. Along with food, festivities and fun, lots of green beer and other alcoholic beverages will be consumed at our nation's eateries and drinking establishments.

As beer, wine and liquor sales see a sharp spike during holidays such as St. Patrick's Day so can your liability as an establishment operator, seller or server. Most states in the US operate under "Dram Shop" laws, which put liability of 3rd party damage caused by selling alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or minor in your hands. When selling alcoholic beverages, public safety becomes your responsibility. It is your responsibility to protect the public, by not allowing people to become intoxicated, and by refusing service to a minor.

Alcohol seller server certification provides training on how to be a responsible alcoholic beverage seller or server. In many cases you may be required by your state's alcohol laws or your internal company policies to take alcohol seller server training. Learn2Serve has provided online alcohol safety certification to over 100,000 managers, bartenders and waiters. Originally starting as an online TABC certification program for Texas, the website now offers state and county specific alcohol safety courses nationwide. With St. Patrick's day around the corner, Learn2Serve provides some helpful information to help you become a responsible seller or server:

  • Be observant for cues and clues of intoxication. Look for the tell-tale signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, loss of inhibitions
  • Do not allow intoxicated patrons to leave your premises and get behind the wheel. Offer any such patrons a safe cab ride home and document the incident. If your patron refuses, you may need to inform him or her that the police will be notified
  • Keep an eye out for 2nd party sales if you are not a 21 and up establishment. Clues for this include a mixed age group with an of age person making frequent trips to buy alcohol. Ask for a valid I.D. for each drink ordered
  • Know your valid forms of identification and I.D. everyone who may be in question

  • If someone is drinking very rapidly, slow down service by not going by the table as often or providing water before the next round of drinks

These are just a few recommendations taught by any alcohol safety training program. Under no circumstance should the information provided here serve as legal advice or substitution for obtaining your alcohol seller or server certification that may be required of your state or employer. For more information about alcohol seller server certification training, visit www.learn2serve.com. Learn2Serve offers courses nationwide for certifications including the TABC Certification, Illinois BASSET certification, California Responsible Beverage Training and more

For more information contact:

Contact:
Albert Lilly
VP, Marketing
press@360training.com
512-539-2682