Keep safety in mind when hosting a grad party

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - Summer is just around the corner and as the end of the school year approaches, undoubtedly many Huron County teens will be attending graduation and end-of-the-year prom parties.

The Huron County OPP is urging graduates and their parents to keep safety in mind as they plan their big night. 

After-prom parties often include alcohol and/or drugs which can lead to situations where teens expose themselves to unnecessary risks, both legal- and health-related. Quite often, decisions made under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs lead to dangerous situations that can cause serious injury and death.

The Huron County OPP wants all parents and caregivers to be aware of the risks, particularly those hosting after-prom parties. 

Property owners need to be aware of their civil liability for anyone who gets injured on their property. Police want to make it very clear that unsupervised after-prom parties, including "field/bush parties," are unsafe environments for anyone. Police are often called to investigate criminal reports of assault, drug and alcohol offences, sexual assaults, thefts, mischief and other related crimes stemming from these types of parties.

Police are encouraging parents and caregivers to speak with young people about the associated dangers of attending such events and find alternative activities for them to enjoy. For those who choose to attend or host one of these parties - be prepared for an increase in police presence as officers will be nearby conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checkpoints in an effort to deter those from making the inexcusable decision to drive while impaired.

Teens should enjoy their proms and graduation celebrations but it should be done in a responsible manner. Please make it a memorable night for all the right reasons versus making a poor decision that leads to an unforgettable tragedy. 

Further Information and tips on how to host a safe grad party can be found at www.madd.ca