Most students spend their time in school excitedly awaiting the next break. Now that Winter Break is over, the next big break is Spring Break 2022. Many students and their families use spring break as a time for vacations and fun excursions. Traveling for spring break will be a great time, but it is imperative that you prioritize safety and make smart decisions.

Sunburn is not the only concern one should be cautious of when it comes to spring break safety. There are many dangers to traveling for spring break such as harassment, kidnapping and theft. While the dangers of traveling, especially around spring break, are scary, there are precautions to take help diminish these concerns.

One of the best ways to keep yourself safe is by always traveling with a friend or family member. You are far less likely to be trapped in a difficult situation if you have a friend with you, or better yet, a group of friends. Dennis Gross, the police liaison at Milford High School recommends keeping your family updated on where you’re going and what you’re doing.

While it may sound like common sense, you should also make sure to avoid strangers and never go off with people you don’t know. Another thing to be aware of when traveling is theft. To prevent robberies, you can start with avoiding ground-level hotel rooms. They are easier to get into and you are more likely to be robbed. To prevent robbery, try not to bring valuables with you but, if you absolutely have to bring them, lock pricy belongings up in a safe or store them somewhere secure when you leave your room. You should also take precautions like deadbolting your door and putting up the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. This will keep people out of your room and help prevent theft.

When going out, conceal your valuables and avoid wearing anything flashy that would make you stand out. This should help prevent you from being pickpocketed. “Don’t keep all your cash and credit cards in the same place like a wallet or purse. If these get stolen or lost, you won’t have any other ways of payment for anything,” Gross informs. He recommends putting some in your wallet or purse and then some in another location like a suitcase just as a precaution.

You should also make sure you know your surroundings and where you are traveling to well. “Do research on where you are going and get to know where you are going before you go there,” Gross recommends. He suggests reading reviews to help you learn about your destination. You don’t want to get lost in a strange place, and if you do get lost, you want to make sure you can get back to your hotel or resort easily. Areas with high crime rates or low foot traffic should be avoided. Being in a new area can be nerve racking, and you will be safer if you have knowledge on the area. If you cannot remember where things are very easily or are a poor navigator, a physical map can aid you in the event you lose cell service.

One of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe is by being aware of your surroundings. Gross said that you should keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times and use good judgement when talking to new people. “A part of traveling is the opportunity to meet new people and talk to them, but if someone is acting suspicious and making you feel uncomfortable then leave the area,” Gross explains.

Another way of protecting yourself is by keeping your phone on you at all times. Especially if you are separated from your group, it is important to be able to make contact with your friends and family. If you are leaving your resort or hotel for a long time period, be sure to take a portable charger with you. If you happen to lose your phone or forget it somewhere, it is a smart idea to memorize the phone numbers of the people on the trip with you. This way, you can still get in contact with them without your own device.

Lastly, you should make copies of important documents. “You never know where you might need a copy of your passport, drivers licenses, or other important items,” Gross informs.

While there are many safety concerns that come with traveling for spring break, if you are cautious and take precautions to prioritize your safety, you will have a great experience.