Home » Home & Style » Household Tips » Keep Graduation Safe

Keep Graduation Safe

© Peggy Hoehne

Keep Graduation Safe

It is graduation time across the country. Young people are exuberant and happy. The celebrations start several weeks before the actual graduation and may continue on for several weeks after. Or they may end very abruptly and tragically.

Every year we hear the news stories of some tragic accident involving teens taking place just before or after their graduation. Every time we hear one of those stories we are saddened but grateful it happened 'somewhere else'. Unless we all work to prevent it happening, this time 'somewhere else' could be your hometown, your school, or your family.

How can we help to make graduation safer for our teens and their friends? MADD - Mother's Against Drunk Drivers offers some sound advice as do many substance abuse organizations. Look for their brochures or websites.

Some things to remind your teens of are:

Be a defensive driver. Even if you aren't drinking other drivers on the road have been.

Know where you are going so all of your attention is on the road not looking for someone's house.

At a red light wait a second before moving after the light turns green. Another driver may be running the light.

Wear a seatbelt. It can save your life.

Make sure your car is in good running condition and has enough gas. We parents are wise to the 'we ran out of gas' excuse for coming in late.

Don't ride with your date/driver if he/she has been drinking. Alcohol not only slows reaction time, it impairs vision, clear thinking, judgment and coordination.

Carry a cell phone with you in case of an emergency but don't use it while driving. Anything that distracts you from the road can be dangerous.

Have an understanding with your parents - if a situation becomes uncomfortable know that you can always call them and they will not lecture you (at least not that night). (See "Contract of Life" below.)

What can we as parents do to insure that our kids are safe?

Make a "Contract of Life" agreement with your teen. You both sign an agreement stating that no matter how much you son/daughter has been drinking, it's essential for the teenager to call home for a ride, (no matter what the hour or circumstances). No yelling or lectures will happen at that time. (See last point above.)

Do not serve alcohol at your teen's graduation party. A large number of the guests will be under age. You are responsible for your guests.

The copyright of the article Keep Graduation Safe in Household Tips is owned by . Permission to republish Keep Graduation Safe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.