There’s no secret science to keep your child away from the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.  Keeping your eyes open, talking with your child, and looking for warning signs are a start.  Here are eight other things you can do to make sure you’re child is clean.

* Monitor alcohol use in your home. If you keep alcohol in your home, keep track of the supply. Do not keep alcohol in an accessible place. Never serve alcohol to underage youth.

* Connect with other parents and caregivers. Getting to know other parents and guardians can help you keep closer touch on what’s going in your child’s life. Friendly relations can make it easier for you to call the parent/caregiver of a teen who is having a party to be sure that a responsible adult will be present and that alcohol will not be available.

* Keep track of your child’s activities. Be aware of your teens plans and whereabouts. Generally, your child will be more open to your supervision if he or she feels you are keeping tabs because you care, not because you distrust him or her.

* Develop family rules about teen drinking. When parents/caregivers establish clear “no alcohol” rules and expectations, their children are less likely to begin drinking.

* Set a good example. Parents and guardians are important role models for their children. If you use alcohol, set a good example and drink responsibly.

* Don’t support underage drinking. Your attitudes and behavior toward underage drinking also influence your child. Avoid making jokes about underage drinking or drunkenness, or otherwise showing acceptance of underage alcohol use. In addition, never serve alcohol to your child’s underage friends. Underage drinking is illegal.

* Help your child build healthy friendships. If your child’s friends use alcohol, your child is more likely to drink too. So it makes sense to try to encourage your child to develop friendships with kids who do not drink and who are otherwise healthy influences on your child. A good first step is to simply get to know your child’s friends better. You can then invite the kids you feel good about to family get-togethers and outings and find other ways to encourage your child to spend time with those kids.

* Encourage healthy alternatives to alcohol. One reason kids drink is out of boredom. Therefore, it makes sense to encourage your child to participate in supervised after-school and weekend activities that are challenging and fun. Studies indicate that the availability of enjoyable, alcohol-free activities is a big reason for deciding not to use alcohol.
* Get to know your child’s friends. Know where they hang out and what they are doing.

* Get to know the parents/guardians of your child’s friends. Talk with the friends’ parents about alcohol. Ask them if they keep alcohol in their home, and if it is stored in an inaccessible place. Talk to other parents and caregivers. If there is a parent organization at your child’s school, join it. If there is no parent organization at the school, think about starting one. Finding two or three other interested parents is a good start.