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"During the holiday season everyone is either going to, or having, a social gathering. Teens are no exception. Socializing with friends is a teen way of life. How they socialize is the responsibility of parents and guardians.  The American Pediatric Association (APA) on its website, healthychildren.org, provides a parental guide for teen parties, and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) "The Power of Parents", has important information to help parents and guardians during this holiday season and beyond.  We urge parents and guardians to read this blog and review the information on the healthychildren.org and MADD websites as part of any "party preparations"; doing so will make this a safer holiday season," said Florida Child Injuries Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Below are some of the facts APA wants us all to remember regarding teen parties: 

• Guest lists tend to unintentionally grow as a result of social media.  They may grow so much that they become difficult for parents to control.
• Teens generally have "moving" parties with late starting times. 
• Teens may expect alcohol and/or drugs to be available at parties. Parents who think allowing teens to drink at home are keeping the teens safe, are "misguided", according to APA. Drinking teens, even at their own homes, are difficult, to impossible, for parents/guardians, to control.
• Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and can lead to unintentional side effects including violence, overdoses, injuries and/or deaths.
• Parents/guardians are legally responsible should anything happen to a minor who was served alcohol or drugs in their home. 

Parents/guardians need to keep communication open with teens.  MADD^® has an on-line handbook "The Power of Parents . This handbook is provided to help parents/guardians talk with their teens about alcohol use.  MADD believes that by reading the handbook and following the guidelines, that parents/guardians can substantially reduce the chances of underage drinking. "The Power of Parents" encourages parents to set a family rule of no alcohol before age 21 and agree on the consequences for breaking the no-use rule and enforce zero tolerance.

"I understand that an accident that results in the injury or death of a child is a parent's worst nightmare, and results in a lifetime of suffering for those who are left behind.  Please share this blog with others so that this may truly be a happy, festive season for us all to remember," said Attorney Spivey.

Florida Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.