Its Graduation time and many young graduates will be celebrating, reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. We all know underage drinking which can result in tragedy. Make sure your graduate passes the real final exam by talking to them about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.
Know who’s driving all evening. Are your kids or a friend driving, is there a designated driver, or will they be renting a limo? Make sure your graduate has a way of contacting you and you can contact them; warn them of the dangers of talking or texting while driving.
Get the evening’s itinerary as well as a list of names and phone numbers of each person with your teen. Make sure they know how to handle difficult situations; avoiding accepting a ride from a drunk driver, rejecting offers of alcohol or legal & illegal drugs, or not succumbing to pressure to engage in sexual activity.
Insist that no changes be made to the evening itinerary unless you grant permission. Know who is supervising all events in which your teen is participating. Make sure your teen has money to cover alternative transportation costs (cab?), if necessary.
Oh, and parents, there are always those High School Reunions… Same rules apply to YOU!
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
