For Alcohol Awareness Month in April, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission is promoting moderation and making responsible choices and informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption.

“While drinking alcohol is a part of many of our celebrations and times of relaxation, drinking responsibly is crucial for the safety of everyone,” MLCC Chair Kristin Beltzer said in a news release. “During Alcohol Awareness Month, we join with our partners in the alcoholic beverage industry and public health community to highlight the importance of safe and responsible alcohol use.”

National Alcohol Awareness Month in America provides an opportunity to increase awareness of alcohol addiction and to bring understanding of alcohol’s causes, the effective treatments available, plus encouraging people that recovery is very possible, according to the MLCC.

Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to help communities reach out to the public and provide answers to end the stigma associated with alcohol abuse.

As with many things, consuming alcohol in excess can cause problems. When alcohol is misused, it can lead to serious health and public safety concerns. Each year more than 1,500 Michiganders die of alcohol-related causes. More specifically, alcohol-related deaths account for more than 25% of traffic-related fatalities, MLCC states, citing recent statistics from the Michigan State Police.

The MLCC offers these reminders on alcohol awareness —

— Know that some alcoholic beverages are more potent, such as distilled spirits, including bourbon, tequila, vodka and gin.

— Know what a standard “drink” is: 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content); 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content); or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol content) such as gin, rum, vodka and whiskey.

— Know consumption guidelines for healthy adults: one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65; up to two drinks a day for men younger than 65.

— Don’t binge drink. For women, it’s those who drink more than four drinks in an outing and men who drink more than five.

— Know that heavy drinking can lead to chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, cancer, pancreatitis and the risk of becoming an alcoholic.

Know your limit when consuming alcohol and be aware of indicators that may show whether you may be abusing it, the MLCC advises. Talk to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking, drinking and driving and the health issues attributable to excessive drinking. Parents are reminded to set a good example for their kids about alcohol use.

Businesses licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages in Michigan must do their part to prevent sales of alcohol to minors and intoxicated customers. Proper ID checking and knowing the signs of intoxication are critical for anyone that sells or serves alcohol to customers.

Licensees can take advantage of the 17 server training programs approved by the MLCC that bartenders, servers, waitstaff, clerks and cashiers may complete to teach how to safely sell and serve alcohol. Information on these programs is available on the MLCC’s Server Training Requirements webpage: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/lcc/faq/server-training-requirements.

For more information and resources available, go online to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Treatment web page at https://www.michigan.gov/en/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/drugcontrol/treatment.