North Reading PD Offers Safety Tips Ahead of Prom Season

Prom season is upon us and with it comes dress, tuxes, flowers, limos and the opportunity for fantastic memories as long as prom-goers embrace safety.

North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy and the North Reading Police Department want to ensure that the experience is a positive one for students and have released a number of tips for students as they prepare for the evening and parents as they help their teens prepare.

The tips for teens are as follows:

Think responsibly: Don’t feel pressured to drink, smoke, use drugs or have sex on prom night. It’s OK to say no, even if others are participating.

Travel safely: According to the Center for Disease Control, teenage drivers are four times more likely than older drivers to crash. Always wear a seat belt, no matter how short the trip. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. Consider hiring a driver or limousine service who can devote full attention to the road.

Be alert: Dating violence is an issue that can affect heterosexual or same-sex couples, and those in a long-term relationship, or people who just met. Abuse can be verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual. Know beforehand what your sexual boundaries are, and communicate those to your partner. Don’t be afraid to tell a family member, friend, or call 911 if you or someone you know is abused or in danger.

And the tips for parents include:

Communicate: Have a pre-prom talk and get students’ itineraries for the evening, including whom they will be with, where they’ll be going before and after the prom, and the phone numbers of where you can contact them. Come to a fair decision on a curfew and express any concerns about their health and safety. If students are not coming home right after prom, set up check-in times throughout the night and following morning.

Plan ahead: After prom parties should be adult supervised. Students are recommended to always go with a buddy and notify parents or guardians where they’ll be and how to reach them. Adults should not let teens drink at home, even if no one plans to drive and keys are confiscated. Keep alcohol at home in a locked cabinet. Parents are criminally and civilly liable if they allow underage drinking to occur in their homes.

Be available: Let students know they can call you at any time for help, advice or a ride, with the promise to not shame or embarrass them in front of others.

North Reading High School’s prom is scheduled for June 1.

Photo: Patch stock of the NRHS 2013 prom.