Prom Safety No. 2: Safe Travel

Notwithstanding all the fun and excitement associated with tomorrow night, parents worry about their kids’ driving.

With large groups of kids revved up for a party and the unfortunate possibility that there may be drinking involved, that concern is legitimate.

Patch parenting expert says many students have arranged as a group for coach buses or limos to pick them up from the high school, bring them to the prom venue, and then to and  from their afterprom celebrations.  While these transportation costs can mount,  it beats allowing the students to drive themselves, she says.

It's not too late to consider these alternatives now if the kids did not make these arrangements in advance.

And, parents should likewise make themselves available to bring their kids to the school to leave for the prom or for pickup from any drop off points on the way back, Millman Purzak said. The inconvenience is minimal when compared to the risk of not doing so.

Parents can also keep overnight vigils by phone, telling the kids that if problems occur, they can call and help will be on the way, experts said.