Spring Break Safety

Though it is cold and snowy outside, many of our members are looking forward to the warmth and relaxation Spring Break brings! If you are among the hundreds of thousands of college students making their way to warmer climates in the next month, there is more to getting ready to travel than packing sunblock and a bathing suit. Here are some tips to make sure your break is safe and enjoyable.

1. Flying? If it seems that the rules surrounding air travel change frequently don’t be alarmed because they do. Make sure to find the latest traveler information on the Transportation Safety Administration’s website. From what is allowed in your carry-on to acceptable forms of ID, familiarize yourself if you haven’t flown in a while.

2. Traveling abroad? Sign up online for the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). The STEP program enables the State Department to contact you in case of a family emergency, or to notify you of a crisis near your travel destination. You can also download a Smart Traveler iPhone App that provides additional tips and information.

3. Driving? Plan ahead and make sure your car is tuned up and in good working order. Also make sure that anyone who is driving is licensed and that the car’s registration is up to date. If you do not have a roadside assistance plan as a part of your car insurance policy, consider purchasing a AAA membership. Not only does AAA provide roadside assistance, you will find your membership brings discounts for hotels and attractions as well.

4. Hotel? Book a hotel in a central location so you limit your driving. Also, try not to stay on the first floor or in a motel with direct access to the outside. Utilize the hotel’s safe or the safe in your room to lock up valuables and your return plane tickets and passports. Just like at home, when answering the door, use the peephole and never let anyone in who you do not know. If someone says they work for the hotel, as for ID or call the front desk to confirm their identity.

5. Alcohol? Responsible choices surrounding your use of alcohol don’t stop just because you are on vacation. Drink no more than one drink per hour and alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. Watch your drink being made, do not accept a drink from anyone else, and keep your drink in hand. If your drink is out of sight for even a moment, throw it out and get a new one. Keep your hand over your cup or your thumb over the top of your bottle. Date rape drugs, such as GHB and Rohypnol, could be placed in your drink while you are distracted to facilitate rape or other crimes.

6. Sun? Spring break means sun time – either on the beach or the ski slopes (we hope). But, you should still take precaution about over exposure to the sun. Wear a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher as well as protective clothing and hats. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. Avoid mid-day sun from 10 AM to 3 PM. And drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

7. Hooking up? Just because you are on spring break doesn’t mean you have to hook up or have sex! Watch your alcohol intake. 70% of college students admit to engaging in sexual activity they wouldn’t normally engage in because they were drinking. Trust your instincts—if it feels uncomfortable, don’t do it! Spring Break is much more enjoyable without regrets for what you did the night before.

Looking for more information? Here are some websites with safety tips to help make your trip the best it can be.

http://www.bacchusnetwork.org/safe-spring-break.html

http://www.cdc.gov/family/springbreak/

http://www.safespringbreak.org/safety-tips/

http://www.cruiseknowledge.com/cruisesafetytips.htm