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WORCESTER, Mass., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 18,000 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the last year -- an average of one every half hour. And, upcoming holidays like the 4th of July and Labor Day are some of the most dangerous days on the road, in part, because of people who had one too many drinks at parties hosted by family or friends.

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In an instant, what is meant to be a cheerful event can turn to tragedy.

With that reality in mind, The Hanover Insurance Group offers tips to help hosts responsibly plan and hold parties, so their guests and others get home safely and they can avoid potential personal liability.

"Too many people lose their lives every year because of drunk driving, an easily preventable act," said Jim Hyatt, president of The Hanover's personal lines business. "While many people spend days and even weeks planning the perfect party, they don't give a second thought to how their guests will arrive safely home and what action they will take if someone drinks too much and wants to drive."

"While it may seem awkward asking a guest not to drive while intoxicated, it could save lives, and at the same time, spare you possible legal responsibility for your guest's actions should he or she get in an auto accident," Hyatt said.

To help reduce the risk your guests will be involved in alcohol-related accidents, The Hanover recommends that hosts take the following important steps:

    Planning the Party:
    -- Let your guests know ahead of time how you feel about drinking and
       driving, and their need to be responsible about their alcohol
       consumption
    -- As guests RSVP, confirm each groups' non-drinking designated driver
    -- Plan activities to engage your guests, to take the focus away from
       drinking
    -- Provide plenty of high-protein foods, like cheese and meats, to help
       slow the absorption of alcohol and keep guests from drinking on an
       empty stomach. Keep in mind, however, that food does not affect the
       pace alcohol leaves someone's system
    -- Avoid salty snacks, like potato chips, that can cause thirsty guests to
       drink more
    -- Plan to offer unique, non-alcoholic beverages, or "mocktails," with
       clever names for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink
       alcohol (see example below)
    -- If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a fruit juice instead of a
       carbonated base, which can speed the absorption of alcohol into the
       blood stream
    -- Have the number of a taxi service on hand for anyone who may need a
       ride, or plan to drive any intoxicated partygoers home

    Party Time:
    -- Have fun. Remember you are responsible for the safety of your guests,
       and in some cases, their actions when they leave your party. Good hosts
       stay in control and don't drink too much in order to make sure guests
       do the same
    -- Never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age and keep
       alcohol in a central, visible place, where teen drivers can't "sneak" a
       drink
    -- Never ask children to serve alcohol at parties
    -- Don't let guests mix their own drinks. Use a reliable "bartender" who
       can track the size and number of drinks each guest consumes
    -- If a guest is drinking too much, stop serving them and offer them a
       non-alcoholic beverage
    -- Close the bar 90 minutes before the end of the party; use the rest of
       the party to serve coffee and dessert
    -- If guests drink too much, don't let them drive: Drive them home
       yourself, (leaving another sober guest to fill-in as host while you are
       gone). Arrange for another guest or a taxi to take guests home, or
       invite them to stay over

For other home safety advice, visit http://www.hanover.com and click on, "Safety Tips."

    Mocktail Recipe: "Designated Driver's Delight"
    1.5 quarts of water
    1 cup of sugar
    1 cup of strong, fresh-brewed tea (made with three tea bags)
    1 six-once can of pink lemonade
    1 quart of apple juice
    2 cups of orange juice
    1 two-leader bottle of ginger ale

... Heat water and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add strong tea. Chill all ingredients and combine before event. Serve over ice. Garnish with slices of apple and orange ...

About The Hanover

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester; Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Mich., and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 35 property and casualty insurers in the United States.

    CONTACTS:
    Investor Relations            Media Relations
    Sujata MutalikAmy Lynn Baneksmutalik@hanover.comabanek@hanover.com
    (508) 855-3457                (508) 855-4486

SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group