High school graduation is an exciting time for seniors including proms and after-parties to attend, with prom safety rarely crossing their minds.
Proms can be expensive events often creating an tab reaching $1,000 or more for the two people. Some feel that for the expense involved, they want to get their money's worth of fun.
But prom night always seems to include reports of drunk-driving accidents, and events where teens display poor judgment and make dangerous choices.
These tips can help keep your teen safe, and make this special occasion something for both you and your son or daughter to enjoy and to create fond memories.
*Who will be doing the driving? Will they drive themselves or rent a limo? If driving themselves, they should keep a list of rider names and phone numbers. It should include parents' phone numbers to be used in case of an emergency.
*Parents should have a complete itinerary, including who your teen will be partying with, addresses and phone numbers for the prom location, after-parties, and the names of restaurants they plan to visit.
* Ask your teen to show how he or she would handle being offered a ride by an intoxicated driver, being offered alcohol or drugs, or pressure to have sex.
* Parents should consider volunteering to assist in supervising the prom or after-parties, which will ensure there are enough adults watching over the party goers.
Most teens killed on prom weekends are not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA]
