It is the time of graduations, beach week and the opening of the Pool. The rugged and busy month of May has come to an end and we are all ready for a collective exhale. However, let’s take a moment to remain vigilant when it comes to the party scene for the younger jetsetters and understand your liability as a parent, adult or host.
What Will It Cost to Host An Underage Drinking Party?
Alcohol Adult Responsibility – Criminal Code 10-117 (b):Allowing Minors (under 21) to drink on your property isillegal. Penalty: $2,500.
Furnishing Alcohol for Minors – Criminal Offense – CR 10-117(a) and/or Obtaining Alcohol for Minors Under 21 – Civil Offense – CR 10-116: Up to $2500 fine and $500 per minor.
And of course, the underage drinker will get cited as well: Consumption of Alcohol by person under age 21 –CR 10-114(2) Civil: $500 per minor consuming alcohol at party. Think twice: is it worth it?
The New Rules for Sunscreen: Skin cancer rates (melanoma) have risen 2% a year since 2000 and are increasing more among young white women. In addition to limiting your time in the sun and protecting your skin with hats, shirts and cover-ups, be aware of new FDA labeling rules starting July 1 which should help you purchase the right sunscreen. The experts recommend choosing a lotion product with an SPF of 15 to 50 and labeled ‘broad spectrum’, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays (higher SPF values can be misleading); keep children inside when the sun is the harshest, from 10 AM to 2 PM; avoid sunscreen sprays (not enough makes it on the skin and the spray gets inhaled into your lungs); and avoid products with additives and fragrances (too many additional chemicals). Finally, take the endorsements on the label with a grain of salt; The Skin Cancer Foundation gives a seal of recommendation from any manufacturer who gives them $10,000.
End Distracted Driving: I want to thank the administration of Maryvale Preparatory School for again participating in the End DD campaign. They invited me to make my first presentation there one year ago and on my return visit this May, I spoke to the entire upper school of 160 students to push my one year total to over 2000 students.
If you need any legal help, just give me a call or send me an e-mail. Go Orioles. Be well. John CM