• Youth pushes for freedom of choice and greater independence.

• Experiences physical and emotional changes.
Ability to anticipate outcomes is limited and erratic.
Teens often think, “it won’t happen to me”.

• Strong need for peer approval and experimentation.

• Parent, be a good role model!
• Buckle up every ride, every time; front and back seat.
• Have clear expectation about family rules: Zero-Tolerance for speeding, alcohol/drug use and texting/cell phones.

• Teach your teen to swim with a partner, every time. Do not allow children to swim alone.
• Teach your teen pool rules, and never to play or swim near drains or suction outlets.
• Teach children swimming in the ocean are not the same as a pool (uneven surfaces, currents and weather changes).
• Have your children learn CPR.

• Bring a water bottle and take regular breaks.
• Know signs and symptoms of dehydration and get medical care immediately: muscle cramping, faintness or dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat.
• Make sure to have the right equipment and wear it for both practice and games.
• Know the signs and symptoms of concussion and seek medical care immediately.

• Teach your teen about the dangers of drugs and alcohol
• Know who your teen’s friends are and where they hang out
• Speak to your teen about the dangers of inhalants and abusing prescription medicines

• Know warning signs of teens who are feeling suicidal: Withdrawal from friends/family; depression; talking, writing or hinting about suicide; previous attempts; feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
• Teach children to resolve conflict without aggression.
• Encourage children to report bullying to an adult.
• Call 911 if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide.
• If you want to talk with someone or need help about suicide prevention call the Crisis Line of Hawai‘i on O‘ahu, 832-3100; Neighbor Island, 1-800-753-6879.

• Store guns out of the home, or keep unloaded and locked in a place separate from ammunition.
• Teach child never to touch a gun, tell an adult if you see one.
• Talk to family and friends about safe gun storage.

• Model healthy behaviors and have open communication about relationships.
• Talk to your teen about teen dating violence.
• Be aware dating violence can be: physical, sexual, stalking and/or emotional.
• Know the warning signs: teen seem afraid to disagree with boy/girlfriend; excessive texting, phone calls; stops hanging out with friends; grades starts declining; has injuries that can’t be explained.

The Start the Conversation Toolkit provides information and tips to help you communicate with the teen or pre-teen in your life about staying safe and developing respectful relationships. Go to website here.