Scarsdale Safe Homes

What is the Safe Homes program?

Safe Homes is a joint effort of the Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol, Scarsdale Public Schools and the Village of Scarsdale.

SAFE HOMES is a nationwide effort among parents to ensure an alcohol and drug-free environment for children.

Why Safe Homes?

Parents are concerned about alcohol and other drug use among our youth and the perceived social acceptability of this use.

How Does It Work?

The SAFE HOMES program works when the community  joins together and published a list of parent who have taken the Safe Homes PLEDGE.  Parents can feel more comfortable communicating with each other and having their teens spend time in a SAFE HOME.

A SAFE HOME is one where parents have pledged to:

• Discuss this commitment with all members of the household.
• Provide visible and active adult supervision at all teenage parties or group gatherings in the home.
• Prohibit parties or group gatherings in the home when parents are not there.
• Forbid teens to use alcohol or other illegal drugs in the home or on the property.
• Allow their name to be included on a list of parents signing this pledge.  This list may be printed in Scarsdale media and will be indicated in the High School directory. 

A SAFE community is one where parents have signed the pledge, sending a clear message that it is unacceptable for our children to use alcohol and other drugs. 

Safe Homes Suggestions

• Communicate with your children that it is unacceptable for them to drink or use drugs.
• Establish behavioral consequences if your teenager should drink or use drugs and follow through on those consequences.
• Communicate to other parents that it is unacceptable to serve alcohol to your child.
• Consider joining a parent group to network with other parents.  Contact your school Drug and Alcohol Task Force representative for information on how to join a parent group.

When Your Teen Is Going Out...

• Establish and set a curfew.
• Know your child's plans and their transportation arrangements for the evening.  Ask who, what, when and where!
• Tell your child to call you periodically during the evening.
• Call ahead to find out if an adult will be present if your child is spending time at another home.  Check the SAFE HOMES list.
• Limit the number of sleep-overs out of your home.
• Wait up or  have your teen wake you when he or she comes in at night.  Have a brief conversation of two to five minutes and then a kiss.
• In your own home supervise  your children and their friends.  BE VISIBLE.
• Don't leave your home unattended for a long period of time.  Notify police of your absence.
• Limit access to alcohol by locking it up.
• Sign and honor the SAFE HOMES pledge.