Arizona

Graduation Safety Tips

May 9, 2017

The month of May is an exciting time of the year. Spring is in full stride and those April showers bring beautiful May flowers. The month represents the onset of pool season, Memorial Day is upon us, race fans enjoy the Indy 500 as well as the Kentucky Derby, and music lovers are graced with the beginning of concert and festival season. For students, May also means that the school year is concluding and the lucky ones will be graduating, which brings me to the main point of this article – Graduation Season!

Personal Injury Attorneys at Torgenson Law Congratulate the Graduates

First things first, the personal injury attorneys at Torgenson Law would like to congratulate all the 2017 spring graduates for their accomplishments. Whether graduating from high school or college, it’s a major milestone in the life of young people and their parents. Graduations are an exciting occasion and they almost always call for a celebration as many young people look forward to new adventures.

However, with all the hype and excitement that encompasses graduation celebrations, it is important to recognize that there are also inherent risks of personal injury. So, if you’re hosting a party, remember to make safety a top priority by avoiding hazardous situations. With that being said, as Arizona injury attorneys, we believe that it is part of our responsibility to provide the community with a few safety tips to ensure memorable graduation celebrations.

For Parents: If your child is graduating from high school and attending a graduation party:

  1. Make sure your child has a plan in place and be sure to know what it is.
  2. Be aware of who is driving to and from – if transportation is provided by a limo or party bus service, be aware of the alcohol policy.
  3. Always let your children know that you will be available to pick them up regardless of the circumstance.
  4. Communicate with other parents.
  5. Stay awake until your child returns home from the party. Let them know you will be waiting up for them.

Tips for Throwing a Graduation Party:

  1. Set clear rules in advance and discuss them with your child.
  2. Offer non-alcoholic beverages. Remember, if something happens to any minor and alcohol is involved, you can be held responsible.
  3. Greet guests at the door and watch for “contraband” items.
  4. Invite other parents if you need extra help chaperoning the party.
  5. Limit the amount of alcohol being served to “of-age” guests to prevent younger guests from becoming intoxicated.
  6. Communicate rules with other parents ahead of time and be prepared to offer rides home.
  7. If you have a dog, keep it enclosed in another room. You don’t want your dog biting anyone.
  8. Use caution when using the grill or fire put near guests. – You don’t want anyone getting burned.
  9. Make sure patios, walkways, and sidewalks are clear of debris.
  10. If you have a pool, make sure it is fenced and that swimmers are supervised at all times.

College Graduates:

  1. For those old enough to enjoy alcoholic beverages to celebrate their graduation make sure there are designated drivers and alternate sources of transportation.
  2. Consider offering a specialty drink containing lower total alcohol content for the celebration.
  3. Limit passengers – By limiting the number of distractions, the driver can better concentrate while on the road.
  4. Provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The above can assist you in preventing personal injuries, while also helping you avoid legal liability and potential lawsuits for injuries your guest suffer at, or because of your party. If you or a loved one suffers a personal injury, call Torgenson Law at (602) 726-0747. We provide aggressive legal representation while protecting your rights and interests.