Take Safety Home: Family Safety on St. Patrick’s Day

With St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break coming up, the middle of March is an important time to talk with your family about safety topics concerning parties, drugs and drinking, and drunk driving. CCI has compiled a special list of tips and topics to remind the whole family about. Take care to implement these safety precautions during this popular drinking holiday, and don’t forget to celebrate this famous Irish holiday with some Guinness, green, and pots of gold!

Pre-teens and Teens:

  1. Discover healthy ways to relieve stress and have fun. Find ways together to relieve stress, such as shooting hoops, taking a walk or run, or breath exercises. Take the time to connect with your teen and learn more about their concerns, anxieties, or problems. Studies have shown that loving parental guidance and communication has a lifelong positive impact on children. Remind them there are other ways they can have fun in a social setting without using drugs or alcohol.
  2. Talk it out. Studies show that taking personal time to properly educate your kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol has a significant effect on promoting responsible use. Talk to your kids about the short- and long-term impacts of drug and alcohol abuse.
  3. Encourage a no-tolerance policy when it comes to impaired driving. Alcohol impairment is recorded at any (BAC) level above 0.01, so let your teen know that getting into a car with an impaired driver is extremely dangerous. Talk to them about the risks and statistics of drunk-driving, and make them aware of the different ride options available. In addition to providing taxi and rideshare options, make yourself available to drive them home if they need it.

College Students and Young Adults 21+:

  1. Minimize the risk of burglaries. Unfortunately on some campuses, the rate of break-ins rises when the weather warms up. If your child goes anywhere or has to leave for an extended period of time, remind them to lock up and secure their belongings.
  2. Be responsible party-goers. Encourage your child to get help for a friend or fellow party-goer if they demonstrate symptoms of binge-drinking or alcohol-poisoning. Educate your child about dialing 911 or making sure their friend has a safe way to get home.
  3. Encourage a no-tolerance policy when it comes to impaired driving. Alcohol impairment is recorded at any (BAC) level above 0.01, so discourage any driving while impaired. Remind your child of the risks and statistics associated with impaired driving, and remind them to plan various safe ride options.

Adults:

  1. Have a good ride plan. Crash risk is the highest between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. Try to stay off the roads then, and plan your ride beforehand. Do not drink alcohol to excess. Keep to the speed limits and less busy roads. And of course, always wear your seatbelt.
  2. Don’t bring your valuables. When going out, leave your valuables at home, as this minimizes the risk of theft or loss. If hosting a party, take some precautions to safeguard your prized possessions as well.
  3. Look out for your guests. If you’re hosting, be aware of some general guidelines for hosting a party.

Now go out, wear your brightest green, and have some fun!

This information is provided to you as a service by Compliance Consultants, Inc.

A portion of this information was compiled from the Suffolk University, Barry P. Goldberg, and Partnership for Drug Free-Kids websites.

CATEGORIES

Recent Posts