Millions of Americans will celebrate their Thanksgiving with afeast of turkey, festive side dishes, and holiday drinks. Althoughthis time of year is usually a time of merry gatherings, many partyhosts are unaware of the risks involved when inviting guests totheir homes and serving food and drinks.

“All hosts should be aware that if someone drives drunk orbecomes sick after consuming food at a holiday party, the hostcould actually be liable,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I”president & CEO. “In fact, a casserole could bring just as manyrisks as a cocktail.”

A lawsuit may be the last thing on a hosts' mind when planning aholiday party, but agents can help hosts' prepare for theworst-case scenario by warning them of the risks involved inhosting a holiday party.

Click through the following slides for TheBig “I” and Trusted Choice's tips for holiday hosts and guests.

1. Watch What You Eat and Feed Others:

Trusted Choice reported in 2012 that nearly 111 millionAmericans outsource their food for the Thanksgiving holiday. Butjust because a caterer, another guest or a local restaurant ispreparing the food, the host is not any less liable for foodpoisoning.

Hosts are still responsible, even if they did not prepare thefood, themselves. Hosts should check the food, being careful not toserve anything that appears to be undercooked, spoiled orcontaminated. Using reputable purveyors and following properfood-handling and storage recommendations can help hosts preventfood-born illness.

When in doubt, throw it out.

2. Mix up the Activities, not just theCocktails:

Parties that center on drinking often result in guests drinkingmore, and although the holidays are a time for celebration, toomuch drinking could result in drunk driving accidents, for whichthe host could be responsible

Providing activities or entertainment that do not involvealcohol, serving filling food and non-alcoholic beverages forguests and making sure that designated drivers are establishedahead of time can assist in preventing accidents.

Avoid Alcohol-related Accidents

3. Party Elsewhere:

Hosting a party at a public location, such as a restaurant orbar that has a liquor license, can help decrease liability forhosts.

4. Call a Cab, Get a Room or Have a SlumberParty:

Arranging transportation or overnightaccommodations for guests are much safer alternatives to drinkingand driving.

5. Just Say No:

Hosts should be on the lookout for any guests who appear visiblyintoxicated in order to prevent accidents. Encouraging party hoststo stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party isscheduled to end or hiring an off-duty police officer or bouncer tomonitor guests' sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems aresome possible solutions for hosts looking to lower their risk.

Know the Laws

6. Do Your Homework:

Homeowners should consider looking at their homeowners' orrenters' insurance policy to gain a thorough understanding of howfar their coverage policies extend if they are sued and foundliable for accidents involving a guests who drinks or becomes illafter consuming food in their home. Reviewing liability coveragelimits to ensure adequate coverage can give hosts peace of mind inthe midst of planning their holiday party.

7. Know Your State Laws and Statutes:

Laws differ from state to state. In some states, hosts can beheld liable if a guest is involved in an alcohol-related accident.Courts have found hosts liable for damages as a result of guestsbeing involved in alcohol related accidents.

Additionally, some statues can be interpreted as mandatingnon-commercial social host liability. This means that if a guest ora third party is injured related to alcohol consumption linked to aparty, the host, as the provider, could be held responsible formedial bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work, and evenwrongful death claims.

8. Consider an Umbrella Policy:

Although holiday partygoers and hosts are expected to behaveresponsibly, some do not always know their limits. Hosts can takepreventative measures, but risks cannot be entirely eliminated.Planning ahead can be the best defense for Thanksgiving dinnerhosts, and purchasing a personal “umbrella” liability policy may bea practical option for those who frequently hosts dinners andget-togethers.

“Thanksgiving dinner or even a neighborhood holiday potluckcould have disastrous results for the host if someone is strickenwith food-poisoning,” says Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vicepresident for education and research. “Whether the food served camefrom your kitchen, a five-star caterer or a pizza delivery truck,if you serve it, you could be liable if anyone gets sick.”