Stay “Summer Safe”

Summers Filled with Potential Life-changing Options

Congratulations!  You have made it through another tough school year.  As giddy as you may be about getting out of school for summer vacation, don’t allow your excitement to get the best of you, or keep you from making good decisions.  The next three months can be fun and exciting, yes, but they will also offer you a myriad of opportunities, good and bad. Your future and your life could be in the balance of what may appear to be simple, non-threatening circumstances.   In many situations, you will be the judge of what action you should take.  Peer pressure should always be the least of your worries.  Take care of yourself regardless of how much influence even your best friends may try to have over you.  Here are some things to keep in mind: 

• Avoid riding with careless or impaired drivers. 
• Always swim with a partner beside you in the water.
• If you are in a boat, wear a life vest. 
• Apply ample sunscreen each time you are exposed to the sun for extended periods. 
• Stay off the phone while driving. 
• NEVER text while driving any type of vehicle.
• Wear shoes at all times.
• Avoid diving into water when you cannot see below the surface.
• When driving, take seriously the responsibility for yourself and those riding with you.
• Don’t make or accept dares which are meant to embarrass, or could possibly hurt, you or someone else.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs and stay clear of “friends” who choose to go down that path.  
• Pay close attention to what is going on around you, especially when in strange places. 
• Call your parents if you fear that you could be in harm’s way or if no one in the crowd can legally operate a vehicle.  They may get upset, but they will get over it.  They will never get over your being hurt or fatally injured in an accident. 

One small miscue could change your life.  Make the very best choices even if doing so means making you unpopular in the short term.  You will not regret making the mature calls in tough circumstances.  That’s what growing up is all about — making the right choices even when others may not agree.  Stay summer safe!