Schools, Youth Groups Offer Safety Tips Before Prom Night

It’s prom night in Hampton Bays and Westhampton Beach and graduating seniors will be dressed to the nines in tuxedos and dresses with frills and lace. Photos will be taken and corsages will be pinned. Aside from being a special night to remember, prom night is also synonymous with drinking, drugs and sex. However, school officials in Westhampton Beach and Hampton Bays say they are doing all that they can to ensure the safety of their students.

Christopher Richardt, principal, says the district is requiring every student attending the prom take a charter bus the school district is providing.

In addition, said Richardt, the district held a mandatory parent meeting in which parents were given a SADD Contract for Life to sign with their children.

Also, said Richardt, “I present parents with some advice on how to handle their teenager’s post-prom plans.”

For the students, Richardt said, the Hampton Bays Fire Department does a presentation about the dangers of drunk driving that includes a demonstration of the use of the Jaws of Life to cut open a car.

“The activity gives the kids an opportunity to see what happens during a car accident rescue and sends a salient message about being safe behind the wheel,” he said.

In Westhampton Beach, Christopher Herr, principal of said similar initiatives are undertaken before the prom.

Like Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach also requires all students take district transportation to and from the prom.

“This change in protocol is based on a belief that two-way transportation will afford our school the opportunity to better safeguard our students and to provide a memorable evening for all,” said Herr.

In Westhampton Beach, students and parents were also required to attend an assembly presented by the .

Kym Laube, executive director of in Westhampton, presented the workshop speaking about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking. Also presenting at the assembly were officers from the Westhampton Beach Village Police Department. Officers talked to parents about the Suffolk County Social Host Law and the realities of allowing minors to drink alcohol in their homes.

Parents were also given the following tips to keep their children safe on prom night by the Greater Westhampton Beach Coalition:

1. Be sure to talk to your child about the dangers and consequences of drug and alcohol use and driving under the influence.

2.    Communicate with your teen's limo/bus driver and let him know your expectations and check the limo/bus for alcohol before departure.  

3.    Provide the limo/bus driver with a phone number where you can be reached should the need arise.

4.    Communicate with parents of other teens in the limo/bus. Make your expectations clear to them.

5.    Be sure to get the names and parent contact information for each person in your teen's prom group.

6.    Know your teen's plans for prom night. Be sure to get specific information about time and destination, as well as who has permission to ride in the limo/bus.

7.    Be sure to establish check-in times when your teen must call you.  

8.    Make sure your teen knows that you are available all night. Give your teen the option of calling you at any time during the night for advice or a ride home.  

9.    Wait up for your teen. An overwhelming 70 percent of students report not using any substance knowing their parent will be awake when they get home.  

Editor’s note: Be sure to check back at Patch on Friday for a gallery of prom photos.  Also be sure to enter Patch’s prom photo contest.  For more information, click here.