Regardless of the date, with the passing of Labor Day, people begin to transition into autumn mode. Along with falling leaves and pumpkin spice everything, fall ushers in the homecoming season for local high school students.
As Weir High School’s 2025 homecoming game and dance are set for Sept. 13, the mounting excitement is palpable. Parents, keep the following tips in mind to help keep your teens safer during homecoming season.
Draft a safety plan with your teen
Don’t leave the details to the kids. Find out who the driver will be and contact that teen’s parents to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding sober driving. It could be surprisingly affordable to go in with several teens’ parents and hire a professional driver and limo or party bus to further protect the kids.
Establish a code word for a quick exit
It is so easy for kids to fall under the spell of peer pressure to drink, try drugs and get involved in other dangerous situations. If their friends are doing it, it’s harder for the teen to refuse. Plan ahead for these scenarios and have a code word that’s easy to slip into the conversation, e.g., “sweater” or “other shoes.” If they drop the phrase, parents know immediately to go pick up their child — and that can save a great deal of heartache.
Be cautious about the after-parties
Everyone knows that the after-parties are usually where the underage drinking, drugging and other illicit activities take place. If you decide to let your teenager attend, put some restrictions on them. Insist they call upon arrival and before leaving or ask to speak to the parent in charge.
All these tips could keep your kids safer this homecoming season. If they get hurt in an accident over homecoming, you will need to be their legal and medical advocate in the coming months.
