How to Stay Safe This Prom Night

The prom is this Saturday, May 28, an event that's anticipated since childhood and looked back on for years afterward. It should be an exciting evening of fun and friendship, but it has the potential to be an evening of heartache. Risky behaviors are often associated with prom such as drunk driving, drug use and unsafe sex.

Capt. Dave Silversparre of the has public safety as his top priority for the upcoming prom night. “We will be making sure people drive safely and that there is no underage drinking. There should be a designated driver in each group. If a promgoer’s date or friend has been drinking, they shouldn’t hesitate to call a concerned parent before taking a chance they may regret.”

Here are some other tips from the Centers for Disease Control for promgoers and their parents to help ensure a safe, memorable evening.

Advice for teens:

• Be sure that someone you trust is available to call if your plans change or you need help.
• Respect yourself and don’t accept verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Call 911 or your family for help.
• Don’t get in the car with a driver who’s been drinking. Have money for cab fare and the number of a cab company saved in your cell phone memory. 
• If you’re driving, don’t drink. Make sure you’re familiar with the car and that it is in good working order. Written directions to the event and after-prom party are a good idea. Girls, consider bringing a pair of flat shoes for driving instead of high heels.
• Wear a seat belt. Seventy percent of teens killed on prom weekends are not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Drive defensively. The highest percentage of accidents happen between midnight and 3 a.m.
• Use the buddy system. Make an agreement with friends to check on each other throughout the evening.
• Know that most teens are not drinking. Statistics show that 81 percent of 12 to 17-year olds have chosen not to have a drink in the past year, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Don’t let peer pressure or the media make you feel like you should do something you don’t want to do. 

Advice for parents:

• Insist on a firm itinerary of the night’s activities. A limo or “party bus” company with a safe driving record is a good idea, but if a teenager is driving, be sure to get the names and numbers of all passengers in the car. Limit the number of passengers and insist on low radio volume. Distractions can cause accidents.
• Communicate with your teen about how he or she would handle tough situations such as being pressured into taking drugs or having sex. Help them to develop an arsenal of responses for difficult situations.
• Make sure all prom night activities have adult supervision and a defined beginning and end time. The Crescenta Valley High School prom is supervised, as is the after-prom event Prom Plus at the

Prom Plus

“The Prom Plus event,” says Silversparre, “is a safe alternative to unsupervised partying in the streets.” Admission to this fabulous event, happening right after the CV prom from midnight to 5:00 a.m., is free with your prom ticket. Seniors who are not going to prom can still attend Prom Plus for $20 at the door. Teens are encouraged to bring comfy clothes (dress racks will be provided for formal wear) and have a blast with activities like casino games, a photo booth, a mechanical bull, a climbing wall, caricatures, music and of course, food. There are even prizes including iPods, game systems and more.

Drinking and other risky behavior are not tolerated and security is provided per YMCA and GUSD requirements. Students who take a limo or “party bus” to the prom and post-prom party are encouraged to drop off their cars in the YMCA parking lot by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Once event-goers leave the premises, they can not be let back in. Parents who would like to be notified if their teen leaves before 5:00 a.m. must submit a notification slip. Read more information about Prom Plus.

Remember to relax and have fun at your senior prom. With a few precautions, this once-in-a-lifetime event is sure to be safe and memorable.