SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – So, your son or daughter is headed to the prom. They’ve selected the tux or the dress, ordered flowers, and decided where they’ll have dinner with their date. Now it’s your turn to be sure they’re ready for the big night.

If you haven’t done it already, one of the most important steps you can take to help ensure a safe prom night is to talk with your kids about their plans and share your expectations of them.

Prom and graduation are times when teens are at risk for making bad choices regarding alcohol and their safety. The best tool to make sure that kids have a safe and positive experience is communication. That means establishing clear expectations, and knowing exactly what is planned for the night.

“Whether you know it or not, you’re the biggest influence on your teen when it comes to making healthy choices,” said Boni Carrell, RN. As a nurse and former Air Link flight nurse, Carrell has seen her share of avoidable accidents involving alcohol and carelessness. That’s why she and members of Regional West Medical Center Trauma Services are urging parents to talk to their children about alcohol before prom and graduation.

“Parents never want to get that life changing call that their child has been admitted to the emergency department on what should be one of the best nights of their life,” said Shermaine Sterkel, RN, Trauma Nurse Manager.

In Nebraska, the legal drinking age is 21. Persons under 21 should not buy, possess, consume or have alcohol provided to them. If alcohol is illegally served at a prom party, teens should not be pressured into drinking and they should never ride in a car with a driver who is impaired. The consequences could be tragic.

Carrell and Sterkel encourage parents to make responsibility a family matter. That means sitting down with their teens in advance of prom and graduation to talk about how important it is not to ruin a great evening.

Regional West Trauma Services reminds parents that bright tomorrows depend on the choices that your sons and daughters make each day. Here are some suggestions for helping them make good choices.
-Set out rules regarding post-prom and post-graduation parties or other activities – with whom they will be, where, for how long, and what they will be doing.
-Get a complete itinerary for the evening, including names of those they will be with and their parents’ phone numbers.
-Set a curfew based on past behavior, but be reasonable. It’s a special night. Have your teen call if there is a delay.
-Limit the number of passengers to one other couple in the car.
-Be on call for a ride home or other emergency.
-Have a "no questions asked" (at least not that night) policy on getting home safely.
-Be the chauffeur for the night, but don’t meddle.
-Tell your children you love and care about them. And remind them you have confidence in their character and ability to make good decisions.

Nebraska Alcohol Laws
-Individuals under the age of 21 may not consume or have alcohol in their possession or physical control.
-Adults and/or retailers who provide or sell alcohol to a minor can be held civilly liable if the intoxicated minor injures or kills someone.
-Adults who provide alcohol to minors can spend up to a year in jail, receive a $1000 fine or both.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.