Being a teenager can be tough. Between peer pressure, academics, and after-school extracurriculars, a 
lot is going on in a teen’s life. As parents, it can sometimes be difficult to have serious conversations with your teen about activities and habits that they may be exposed to that can cause them harm, but these conversations are critical. However difficult it may be to talk to your teen, make 2019 the year that you discuss safety with your whole family. Please work with your teenager to come up with a list of safety resolutions that he or she should work toward maintaining throughout the year.
Here are some ideas for New Year’s resolutions to help your teen stay safe in 2019.
Avoid all Types of Distracted Driving
It’s scary to think that each day 3,287 people lose their life due to fatal car accidents. This is according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel. Amongst teens, distracted driving is the leading cause of automobile fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teens between 15-19 are the most at risk of losing their life due to distracted driving. Aside from losing a life, you teen could be seriously injured as 15% of injury crashes are due to distracted driving. As a parent, you understand the importance of practicing safe driving with your teen, so it’s important that you instill safe habits in your kids.
Make safe driving a requirement in your family by banning distracted driving. Make it a family resolution to not text or look at social media while driving. This change can not only lower your teen’s risk of an accident, but it might save a life.
Stop Smoking the Juul
The Juul has grown to be the most popular tobacco product among youths, but it is also becoming one of the most dangerous due to the amount of regular usage in this demographic. With a sleek feel to it, the Juul has become a popular form of smoking among teens because it looks like a flash drive and can be easily hidden or transported. The common misconception with many teens is that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to smoking, but recent health studies have confirmed that Juuls and other e-cigarettes contain some of the same cancer-causing toxins found in conventional cigarettes. In fact, each Juul cartridge carries as much addiction-causing nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.
This year, work with your teen to ensure that he or she avoids all types of e-cigarettes, including the flavored Juuls. Educate your teen on the dangers of smoking, and how there is substantial evidence linking daily Juul use to an increased risk of a heart attack. Set the example for your teen by banning smoking in the home or around the kids. Addiction often starts young and there is mounting evidence that it can begin with the Juul.
Stay Safe at Spring Break
Spring Break isn’t for a couple of months, but the idea of staying safe when your teen travels without you should be a year-round goal, especially if your teen is traveling overseas or without much adult supervision.
Remind your teen that drinking laws are different everywhere, but it’s always important to obey the law where you are visiting. Never drink and drive or get in a car with someone who has been drinking. This is an International rule that should never be broken.
Additionally, come up with an emergency plan with your teen if he or she is without the support of the family while traveling. Make sure that you and your teen understand every detail so that any emergency that occurs while he or she is away can be handled responsibly.
Staying safe should be a resolution every year. These are just a few reminders, but there are many other ways that you can work with your teen to ensure that safety is a top priority in 2019.
Unfortunately, not everyone makes safety a priority, and you can be injured by the negligence of another. If you were seriously injured due to the negligence of someone else, please contact us for a free consultation to discuss your situation. We can be reached at (305) 662-6178.
References:
Teens and Distracted Driving: Facts and Statistics. (2017, December 27). Retrieved from https://teensafe.com/blog/teens-and-distracted-driving-facts-and-statistics/
Brodwin, E. (2018, November 18). The FDA is preparing to crack down on e-cigs like the Juul – here’s why vaping is so dangerous. Retrieved from https://businessinsider.com/vaping-e-cigs-juul-health-effects-2018-10
Panterlaw. (2018, April 10). The Dangers of Vaping, E-Cigarettes, and Juuling. Retrieved from https://panterlaw.com/dangers-vaping-e-cigarettes-juuling/
Panterlaw. (2018, June 12). 8 Statistics That Show the Dangers of Distracted Driving. Retrieved from https://panterlaw.com/2017/05/02/8-statistics-show-dangers-distracted-driving/
Panterlaw. (2018, June 11). 5 Tips for Safe Spring Break Travel. Retrieved from https://panterlaw.com/2018/03/09/5-tips-safe-spring-break-travel/
