Helena Talbot’s blog – How To Keep Your Guests Safe At Your Next Holiday Party

While planning your holiday festivities, you're probably not thinking about things like the obstacles in your home that could possibly create a dangerous situation for your guests.  However, your next holiday gathering could quickly turn into a disaster if you have not done a little preparation in advance.  The first thing you need to do is to take a look around your home and anticipate anything and everything that could present a problem.  Here are a few tips to help get you started.

1.  Do you have any glass tables?  If so, you'll need to move them into a safe place where a guest that gets knocked over or has had a little too much to drink won't fall on the glass and hurt himself.  

2.  Do you have any decor that has sharp edges or could fall over and hit someone?  If so, these pieces need to be moved out of the party area until your event is over.

3.  Do you have any pets?  For the safety of your guests and your pets, they should be boarded or kept locked up in another room until after your party.  Pets that are not usually aggressive could easily get spooked and you don't want a possible dog bit lawsuit.  In addition, you don't want any of your guests innocently feeding your pets something that could harm them.  So for everyone's sake please make other arrangements for your pets on party day.

4.  Are any children going to be attending your party?  If so, and you're serving alcohol, you'll need to have someone monitor the alcoholic beverages so no minors gain access to them.  Minors can be very sneaky so make sure you don't skip this step.  Otherwise, you'll have a lot of explaining to do if a child becomes intoxicated, or worse, injured.  

5.  That leads to the last but yet the most important of all your holiday preparation tasks.  If you'll be serving alcohol at your party, it's your responsibility to make sure that someone who's had too much to drink, doesn't drive.  You should have the phone number for a taxi service next to your phone.  Or perhaps, you could have a designated driver available to assist your intoxicated guests.  It may be necessary for you to collect everyone's keys as they arrive in order to avoid anyone who's drunk from slipping out unnoticed.  

The holidays are supposed to be filled with fun, friends, family and lots of holiday festivities.  So do your best to keep it that way.  If you've prepared your home ahead of time to eliminate any possible disasters and you have a pre-determined plan for any intoxicated guests, than your holiday event will be a great memory that everyone will remember for years to come.

Winter can be a great time to buy a home.  If you would like a list of available homes in your area, please contact your realtor.  He would be happy to help you with all your real estate needs.  

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  

I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.