Spring break is a time for college students to embrace warm weather and have fun. It’s a chance to take a break from school and go on exciting adventures. While having a good time is certainly important, safety is just as crucial.
Whether you’re on the beach or on the dance floor, it’s always good to keep in mind your own personal safety. Here are some tips on how to stay safe during spring break.
1. Be aware of your surroundings
As exciting as it is to finally have a break from the classroom, don’t forget to have awareness of your surroundings wherever you travel. After all, any unfamiliar locations can be breeding grounds for theft, scams and predators.
Always make sure to keep your eye out for any suspicious behavior that could potentially pull you into a harmful situation.
2. Watch your drink (and intake)
The majority of spring break might be spent downing shots and drinking alcoholic beverages, which is totally okay, but watching your drink and your intake is imperative to your overall safety. Buying your own drink is never a bad idea, and watching the bartender make it in front of you isn’t either.
Avoid having other people buy your drinks, and make sure you’re cognizant of where it’s coming from to prevent anyone from adding date-rape drugs into the mix. In addition, do not leave your drink unattended.
Along with watching your drink, be aware of your drink intake. When a drink limit isn’t established beforehand, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and lose track of the amount of alcohol you’re consuming.
Figure out a drink maximum that works for you, and you can still have fun while simultaneously maintaining an awareness of what’s going on around you. Ultimately, establishing a drink limit will allow you to drink responsibly and steer clear of any dangerous scenarios.
Also, spring break temperatures are usually hot, so make sure to always stay hydrated!
3. Stay with your friends
Adopt the buddy system at all times when embarking on your spring break adventure. Having at least one person with you wherever you go is critical for spring break safety. They can keep an eye on you and vice versa. Never go anywhere alone, and do not go anywhere with someone you just met by yourself.
If you’re going on a spring break vacation with a huge group of people, always make sure to keep the group updated on your plans. Start a group text chat so that you can easily tell others where you’re going so they’ll know where you are at all times.
Still, make sure to stay with at least one other person if you want to do something different from the rest of the group. If something feels suspicious to you, create a code word between you and your friends so that you can alert each other of anything that feels off.
When going out apart from the group, establish a safe meeting place where the rest of the group can reunite at the end of the night.
4. Don’t forget your belongings
Days spent out in the sun can lead to forgetfulness, especially when it comes to your personal items. Therefore, pack smart when you’re out and about.
Additionally, avoid bringing any valuable items to wherever you are going. Also, make sure your ID, cell phone and money are on you at all times. It can be helpful to invest in an extra phone charger and a cheap fanny pack to store all of your “survival” items.
5. Plan your rides
Before going out, plan a way to travel to and from your destination. App services, such as Uber and Lyft, are helpful ways to avoid drinking and driving.
Stay alert of drivers who may try to take advantage of the fact that you’re intoxicated. Also, double check that the Uber or Lyft service is legitimate and reputable, and make sure to follow the route on your phone to ensure that you will get home safely.
Every college student should be able to enjoy a stress-free spring break filled with amazing memories. Plan ahead and stay safe this spring break to ensure that your time off is memorable and full of adventure.
