Marsalisi Law
graduation celebration safety tups

Roughly 200,000 high school seniors will be graduating from Florida public high schools this year, according to the Florida Department of Education.  These fresh graduates deserve every right to celebrate after conquering their coursework in the midst of a pandemic.  However, although graduation season is a time of celebration for teenagers, this newly found freedom and lack of responsibility can lead to risky behavior.  How can parents and teens stay safe during the 2021 graduation season? 

How to Have a Safe Graduation Celebration During COVID-19

Coronavirus has drastically changed the world as we know it and restricted many family members and friends from physically attending the high school graduation ceremonies of their loved ones.  For those who plan to celebrate in-person after a virtual or in-person ceremony, we have a few safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Wear a mask.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends wearing a cloth face covering when you are in public.  Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth will not only reduce your risk of catching the virus but will reduce the chance of you spreading it to others as well.  
  • Do not forget to stay socially distanced.  It is not always easy to remember but staying at least 6 feet away from other people will help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  
  • Sanitize your hands.  Washing your hands is not always the most convenient option, so try to carry hand sanitizer with you to keep your hands clean of any viruses or bacteria.  
  • Try not to touch your face.  Many people touch their faces more than they realize.  This practice may seem harmless, but it can easily transmit germs into our bodies.  
  • Stay home if you are sick.  We know you do not want to miss your teen’s graduation festivities, but if you are not feeling well, it is best to stay home to prevent infecting your loved ones with a life-threatening disease.  

Here in the Sunshine State, we benefit from weather that turns our backyards and parks into prime venues for outdoor open-air celebrations that provide plenty of space for social distancing.  

What Parents Can Do to Keep Their Teens Safe During Graduation Season

Some parents enable questionable behavior that can encourage their teens to put themselves in harm’s way.  Some parents are of the mentality that once their teenager has graduated high school, they are old enough to start drinking alcohol.  

Many of these parents allow their children to host graduation parties with alcohol with the mindset that “they are going to drink anyway; they might as well do it at home where we know they are safe.”  Besides the legal ramifications of allowing minors to drink, this also sends the wrong message to teens, and they may think it is acceptable to drink all summer.  Instead, try celebrating your teen’s accomplishments by:

  • Hosting a socially distanced get-together without alcohol;
  • Encouraging your teen to attend school-sponsored celebrations that are supervised and safe.

If you are hosting any festivities at your home, follow these safe party tips:

  • Clear pathways of debris;
  • Ensure handrails are stable and reinforced;
  • Keep pets enclosed in another room;
  • Provide plenty of water for guests;
  • Make sure your pool is fenced in and that swimmers are supervised at all times;
  • Safely prepare foods by ensuring the meat is well-cooked and temperature-sensitive foods remain refrigerated or frozen;
  • Keep fire extinguishers in easily accessible areas.

These tips will help prevent common home-related injuries that could occur during your party and help you to avoid any lawsuits or legal liabilities.  

Contact a Highly Rated St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer

Graduation celebrations can easily get out of hand and result in a personal injury.  If you have been injured at a party, Marsalisi Law may be able to help you recover compensation for your damages and any medical expenses you may have acquired.  Call (727) 800-5052 or complete an online contact form today for a free consultation.  

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