HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) encourages parents to take advantage of major sporting events and related celebrations as occasions to engage in important conversations with their children about the dangers of alcohol.

“With the big game this weekend and celebrations close at hand, there can be increased exposure and access to alcohol for kids” said PLCB Chairman Tim Holden.

“As friends and family come together to enjoy the game, we urge parents to consider the accessibility of alcohol in their home and use these occasions as opportunities to communicate the risks of underage drinking to their children. Regardless of the time or event, it’s never okay for kids to drink alcohol.”

Research for Know When. Know How., the PLCB’s award-winning statewide education and prevention campaign, showed that 7 in 10 Pennsylvania parents don’t keep the alcohol in their homes secured and that 85 percent of underage drinkers get their alcohol in their own home or in that of a friend.

“It’s never too early for parents to start talking to their kids about alcohol,” stressed Board Member Mike Negra. “One out of three kids has tried alcohol by age 8, and by age 12, that number jumps to two out of three. Talking to kids sooner, rather than later, can have a major impact in reaching them before they encounter or consider trying alcohol.”

Eighty percent of kids say their parents are the biggest factor in whether they decide to drink or not, and statistics show that kids are most receptive to their parent’s views on alcohol between the ages of eight and 11. It’s important for parents to use their influence and have conversations about alcohol with their kids before trial or use begins.

At KnowWhenKnowHow.org, parents can find information about alcohol presented in digestible bits and pieces so they can become comfortable discussing the topic without being overwhelmed. The website provides scenarios and tips on how parents can spark conversations about alcohol with their kids, features facts and statistics about alcohol’s effects on a growing body, and discusses the role of parental responsibility as it relates to underage drinking prevention.

Know When. Know How. is based on PLCB-commissioned research, including a statewide survey of more than 500 Pennsylvania parents with children under 21, along with eight focus groups with parents of children between the ages of 5 and 15. Ninety-four percent of parents surveyed said they believe it’s their responsibility to talk to their kids about alcohol. Know When. Know How. encourages parents to take advantage of brief, age-appropriate conversations that spring out of everyday experiences and grow with children as they mature.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board works to educate the public about the dangers of underage and dangerous drinking through a variety of avenues, including a poster contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a free alcohol educational conference, the creation and distribution of a wide range of educational materials, and training and technical assistance for licensees through the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) and other organizations working to address the issues related to irresponsible consumption. The PLCB also provides about $1 million annually in alcohol education grants to communities, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits – totaling $16.5 billion since the agency’s inception – are returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health, and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit lcb.pa.gov.