Have Fun and Be Safe

Spring break is a great time to relax, have fun and enjoy free time with friends. Spring break has also become known for traveling to party spots and risky behavior. Let’s look at ways that you can have plenty of fun but also keep yourself and your friends safe.

Road Trips

  • Have your car checked out before you leave. Last thing you want is to spend part of your vacation getting a repair at a mechanic you do not know.
  • Make sure that someone (parent, other friends) not traveling with you is aware of your route and destinations.
  • Try to stay on major highways and know your route before you leave. Even though we all have GPS on our phone, take a map. Some areas will have poor service and you may not be able to access your GPS.
  • Keep your doors locked and windows up when you leave your car. Keep any bags or valuables out of sight.
  • Do not pick up hitchhikers or even people that you “meet” along the way and somehow need a ride to exactly where you are going.
  • No open alcohol containers in the car. Many states have laws that prohibit ANY open containers no matter what age you are or who has the open container.
  • If you have car trouble, stay in your car with the doors locked and call police for assistance.
  • Take turns behind the wheel and always have two people awake. Whoever sits shotgun should make sure the driver stays awake. Make sure everyone who may drive has a valid driver’s license and that the insurance card and registration are in the car. Check to make sure your insurance will cover other drivers.

Taxi, Taxi

  • Calling a taxi is better than hailing one. At the train station or airport, always use approved taxi services. DO NOT use people who approach you and offer you a “better” price for the ride.
  • If using Uber, you will see the driver name and type of car on your phone when you request it. Make sure you check that you are getting into the correct car with the correct driver.
  • Keep your belongings together so that you do not leave anything behind when you leave.
  • If at any time you feel unsafe in the taxi or ride service, just leave at a safe stop. Get out and leave cash on the seat.

Staying in a Hotel?

  • No one but you and the people staying with you need to know what room you are in. Use discretion when you check in.
  • Most hotels offer safes in the room or at the lobby. Use them! These are good for storing your credit cards or cash or any valuables such as passport or electronics.
  • Make sure your doors are locked when you leave the room and go to sleep at night. Do not leave anything of value on a balcony.

Using the ATM

  • Do not go to an ATM alone. Go with some friends and be alert to whether there is anyone hanging around the ATM. If there is something or someone there that makes you uneasy, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. Go to another ATM.
  • Make sure you keep your PIN private.

Spring Break and Drinking

  • Do yourself a favor and party smart. Just because you are on spring break, you do not need to drink more than you normally would.
  • Decide before you go out if and how much you are going to drink. Set your limits before you are impaired.
  • NEVER go out drinking alone. Period.
  • Watch your drink. Do not leave it unattended EVER.
  • Do not drink from open punch bowls, pitchers or tubs.
  • Remember that alcohol is the #1 date rape drug.
  • Never drink and drive and never get in a car with someone that has been drinking. You guys know this already and this rule holds while on break.
  • Pace yourself, do not drink on an empty stomach.
  • Please remember the golden rule of partying safe: Come with your friends, leave with your friends.

Sex

  • Not everyone is hooking up and just because you are on spring break, does not mean you need to.
  • Do not let anyone ever talk you into having sex.
  • Know what consent is and respect it for all forms of intimacy. Silence is NOT consent. Consent needs to be verbal and cannot be implied or assumed. NO at any point during an encounter means NO.
  • The safest sex is no sex. Should you decide to have sex, make sure it is protected. The souvenir you do not want from spring break is a sexually transmitted infection.

Fun in the Sun and Water

  • Use waterproof sunscreen of at least 30 SPF and reapply often. Apply to all sun exposed areas and do not forget places like ears and tops of feet.
  • Drinking and sun can combine for a bad sunburn and bad hangover. Keep this in mind.
  • Remember HYDRATION and MODERATION when it comes to sun (and alcohol).
  • Remember you can sunburn even when it is cloudy so use your sunscreen.
  • Never swim alone in the surf. Have a buddy and swim at beaches with lifeguards.
  • Red flag, stay out of the water

Yellow Flag, caution

Blue Flag, coast is clear

These are the flag colors for water safety!

  • Don’t dive head first into any body of water without knowing how deep it is.

Going out of the Country?

  • You will need a passport or visa. Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the passport. You should also have a backup form of ID such as driver license in case your passport is lost or stolen. This will help if you need to get a replacement at the American Embassy.
  • Check the CDC travel web site to see if there are any health concerns at or safety warnings on the State Department web site.
  • Do not travel with large amounts of cash.
  • Make photocopies of the front and back of all credit cards. Keep these in a safe in your hotel/leave with someone at home. This way you have easy access to the important numbers should they be lost or stolen.
  • Do not look like a tourist!
  • Keep family informed of your travel plans. Provide them with an itinerary before you go.
  • Good web sites to check for scam artists abroad are Wikitravel and Lonely Planet.

Have Fun and Be Safe!!!!
Student Health Services Staff