HSE 'points' for safe Leaving Cert celebrations
The HSE has released safety tips ahead of the Leaving Cert results being released.
Students will be anxiously awaiting ahead of the Leaving Cert results being released on Friday morning. Having worked hard over the last number of years, students will want to celebrate, which can be a worrying time for parents.
Ahead of the results announcement, the HSE is encouraging parents to help their children plan for safe celebrations.
The HSE advises parents to have a brief, focused conversation about personal safety and alcohol and drug use with young people prior to their exam celebrations. If alcohol is part of their celebrations the advice is to plan ahead, monitor and minimise alcohol intake, stay safe and avoid drugs.
Some tips for parents to share with young people for celebrations are:
Find out where they are going and who they are going with.
If choosing to drink alcohol, advise them not to drink on an empty stomach, take extra care with home-made drinks that can be a lot stronger, pick lower strength drinks, and stay hydrated by having non-alcohol or soft drinks or water for every second drink.
Talking about other people helps young people to be aware of their own safety too. Tell them to never leave a party alone or let their friends go home alone. Ideally, they should try stay in groups of 3 or more.
Make yourself available for drop-offs or pick-ups. Warn them not to drive after taking drink or drugs and to never take a lift from someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
