Editorial

Have fun, but play it safe on prom night

Posted

It won’t be long before South Shore high school students graduate and head into the wider world. Before they do, many will attend proms. It can be one of the most magical nights of a teen’s life. It can also be among the most nightmarish if partiers don’t take proper safety precautions.

Prom may be just a few hours long, but there’s plenty to plan for and worry about. Be prepared. Think ahead. Then have fun.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers loads of sound advice on how to stay safe before, during and after the prom. Here’s what the CDC’s experts say.

Just say no. Many prom-goers feel enormous pressure to drink, smoke, use drugs or have sex on prom night. Drinking and doing drugs, however, just aren’t safe –– not to mention they’re illegal. Drinking alone is responsible for more than 4,500 deaths among young people annually, and is associated with a host of problems like sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies, according to the CDC. It’s OK to say no.

Travel safely. Teen drivers are four times more likely than older drivers to crash, the CDC says. Always wear a safety belt — no matter how short the trip. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Consider limousine or bus service. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents among teens. A car full of loud and excited prom-goers can be extremely distracting for a young driver.

Watch out for dating violence. This is a real issue on prom night. It can happen among heterosexual or same-sex couples, and among couples who have been together a long time or people who have just met. Many teens do not report violence because they’re afraid or embarrassed to tell family and friends. The abuse can be verbal, emotional, physical or sexual. Know your sexual boundaries and communicate them to your date. Respect yourself and others, and tell family or call 911 if you or someone you know is being abused or is in danger.

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