Spring Break is a time to unwind, relax and have some fun. Sometimes the fun can get carried away and leave problems hanging around. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and keep your health in mind during the break. To help college students stay safe while on Spring Break, Marcia Peot, full time police officer and Chief Safety Officer at StreetSafe, offers the following safety reminders:

Don’t let your guard down.  

Being on vacation is not an excuse to throw caution to the wind and do something you wouldn’t normally do or put yourself in an unsafe situation.

Research…

the place you are visiting before you go, especially if it’s a foreign country.  Find out if there are dangerous areas you should avoid, familiarize yourself with local laws and customs, and know where to go and what to do in case of an emergency.

Stay in groups…

or use the buddy system.  You are more of a target when you are by yourself.

A stranger is still a stranger,

even on vacation.  Do not accept a ride or go off somewhere alone with a person you don’t know.

Do not drink excessively. 

When you are intoxicated, your physical reflexes, awareness of your surroundings, and ability to make decisions become impaired, making you an easy target.

Never leave your drink unattended…

and do not accept beverages from anyone other than the bartender or waiter.

The beaten path is the better path. 

Stick to populated and well-lit areas, don’t take short cuts, and familiarize yourself with the area before heading out.

Make sure your hotel room is locked…

at all times.  Do not advertise your room number, open the door for anyone you are not expecting, or bring strangers back to your room.

Upgrade your personal security.

StreetSafe http://www.streetsafe.com/  is a new mobile personal security system that uses your smart phone’s GPS technology to instantly connect to help before a situation turns into an emergency. Street Safe’s “Walk with Me” service offers a live connection to a professional Safety Advisor to keep you safe when walking in unfamiliar or threatening surroundings and instant access to 911 if needed.