Football season is coming to a dramatic conclusion. Georgia, Alabama, and the Atlanta Falcons are poised to make us all proud, if not a little overzealous. Everyone will want to celebrate their team’s victories.  No matter how you decide to celebrate before, during or after games, everyone needs to follow some guidelines to be safe.

Law enforcement in Georgia and Alabama offer some simple reminders to make your in-house party or stadium experience safe, whether it’s for the upcoming playoff or bowl games.

If you plan to host an in-house gathering, remember these items:

• Before kickoff, make sure there are sober Designated Drivers among your guests.
• Never serve alcohol to guests under 21-years-of-age.
• Serve plenty of food, and include soft drinks, juice, and water options.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter (just like NFL stadiums do) and start serving coffee and dessert instead.
• Take car keys from anyone who thinks about driving impaired.
• Keep the Uber app and numbers for local cab companies on hand for impaired guests.

If you plan to attend one of the big games in person or watch the game at a restaurant/bar, here are some tips to make sure you arrive home safely:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins, and make sure they have the car keys.
• Volunteer to be the Designated Driver or offer to be one next time out.
• No Designated Driver – no problem – program local cab phone numbers on your cell phone or have Uber app ready.
• Pace yourself.  Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast.
• Eat plenty of food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Never let a friend out of sight, if you think they will drive impaired.

If something does go wrong before or after the game please contact Miller & Wynn.  Our locally-based attorneys, Mike Miller and Christopher L. Wynn have decades of experience.  Contact them for a free consultation at 770-942-2720 or visit www.MillerWynnLaw.com.