Fourth of July: Safety, Liability & Smart Hosting

The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate. It’s a high point of summer, full of cookouts, lake days, fireworks, and time with family and friends. But if you’re hosting, whether at your home or on your boat, you carry a set of legal and practical responsibilities that shouldn’t be ignored.

Year after year, injuries and legal disputes arise from holiday gatherings. The problem isn’t malice, it’s a lack of foresight. A broken step. An overloaded boat. A guest who’s had too much to drink and gets behind the wheel. These are avoidable scenarios, but only if you take your role seriously.

Below are three key areas every host should focus on to protect their guests and themselves this Fourth of July.

1. Premises Safety: Inspect Your Property Before the Party Starts
If you’re hosting at your home, conduct a physical inspection of the property before guests arrive. Look at it like someone who’s never seen it before. You may know about the loose step, the splintered deck board, or the sunken spot in the yard—but your guests don’t. And if someone trips or falls and gets hurt, you’re the one who may be held accountable.

Under South Carolina law, when you invite someone onto your property, you owe them a duty of reasonable care. That means addressing known hazards or, at a minimum, warning your guests about them. Failure to do so can result in legal exposure if someone gets hurt.

Focus on high-traffic areas:

• Decks and porches
• Stairs and handrails
• Walkways and patios
• Docks, if you’re on the lake

Don’t ignore lighting, especially if the event continues into the evening. A poorly lit stairwell can be just as dangerous as a broken step. And if fireworks are part of your gathering, set a clear perimeter and keep children far from the launch zone.

It doesn’t take much time—but it does take intention. Walk your property. Fix what needs fixing. And set firm boundaries on where guests can and cannot go.

2. Social Host Liability: Know the Law, and Use Judgment Anyway
This is one of the most misunderstood areas of the law.

Here’s the truth: South Carolina does not impose liability on a social host for overserving alcohol to adult guests—even if those guests later cause harm to themselves or others.

But that doesn’t mean you’re free to ignore consequences.

If you serve or allow access to alcohol by a minor (someone under 21), the situation changes immediately. South Carolina law prohibits furnishing alcohol to minors, and if that minor injures themselves or others, you could face civil liability and criminal penalties.

Even with adults, liability could still arise under a general negligence theory if you take on extra duties—like promising to arrange a ride home—and fail to follow through.

The point is this: the law may shield you in some circumstances, but headlines and public scrutiny won’t. Be smart when it comes to alcohol service and use good sense.

Best practices:

• Do not serve or allow underage drinking.
• Watch for signs of intoxication.
• Shut down alcohol service if needed.
• Offer rides or alternative transportation to impaired guests.

Just because you can’t be sued for serving an adult doesn’t mean you should ignore safety.

3. Boating Safety: You’re the Captain, and the Responsibility Follows
Boating adds complexity—and liability.

The moment you invite someone aboard your boat, you accept responsibility for their safety. That means making sure the boat is seaworthy, the operator is sober and capable, and that you have the equipment necessary to keep people safe.

Here are the key legal and practical risks:

• Boating Under the Influence (BUI) is illegal in South Carolina. It carries criminal penalties and opens the door to civil liability if someone is hurt.
• If you allow someone else to operate your boat—and they’re intoxicated or unqualified—you may still be held accountable as the boat’s owner.
• Boats must be equipped with working safety equipment, including enough life jackets for all passengers, lights, horns, and fire extinguishers.

Just as important is insurance. Many homeowners believe their regular homeowner’s policy covers boating activities. It usually doesn’t, especially if the boat is motorized, over a certain horsepower, or operated away from the insured residence.

You need a specific boat insurance policy, and it should include:

• Liability for passenger injuries
• Coverage for collisions and property damage
• Legal defense coverage

If you haven’t reviewed your boat policy recently, now is the time. Call your agent before the weekend and make sure you’re properly covered.

Final Word: A Good Host Plans Ahead
Hosting over the Fourth isn’t just about food and fun. It’s about taking care of the people who trust you with their safety. And the best hosts think through the hard stuff—before anything happens.
So here’s the checklist:

• Inspect your property and fix hazards
• Don’t serve alcohol to minors
• Use sound judgment with alcohol service with adult guest
• Ensure your boat is safe, legal, and insured
• Make safety part of the plan

A little foresight goes a long way. Have a great and safe Fourth of July.