"Adults, including visitors to the home such as uncles, grandparents and older cousins, may bend youth alcohol prohibitions during the holiday season as a treat or gesture of affection," said Ruth Gassman, director of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center in Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. "Perhaps well meaning, giving alcohol to youth or making it readily available to them is a recipe fraught with risk."

Drinking alcohol increases adolescents' chances of illness and injury, and reduces their ability to regulate sleep, mood, impulse control and communication. Alcohol may have a dangerous interaction with many common medications taken by youth such as analgesics and cold/flu medicines.

* Have available and offer alcohol-free holiday drinks for all age groups in your home.  * Be mindful of the drinking behaviors you are modeling for youth. Are you spiking your coffee, tea, soda or fruit juice with alcohol? Children may perceive this as harmless and imitate what you do.

* Keep track of where your children are and what they are doing. Although they may be in the bedroom or basement, be sure they are not imbibing behind a closed door.  * Ask your relatives and friends to respect your family rule to not provide youth with alcoholic beverages.

Don't give the gift of alcohol; instead give mittens or a cap. Alcohol may make you feel warm in a cold holiday climate, but it actually may contribute to hypothermia.

Gassman can be reached at 812-855-1237 or rgassman@indiana.edu.Source: Indiana University