By CHASITY WEBB
Assistant Features Editor
Everyone, traveling or not, is getting pumped for spring break. It seems like the furthest thing from the students’ minds though is safety. Going out of town or traveling to another country can be dangerous. Yes, the purpose is having fun, but the number one priority should be safety.
It is always important to have a safety and emergency plan anytime a trip is planned. Basic safety tips are needed for all trips.
The first thing travelers should do when planning a trip is leave contact information with a couple of different people, parents being the primary contact. It may seem like leaving contact information with parents defeats the whole purpose of spring break, but they will be the first to notice when their child doesn’t contact them when expected. Items that should be included with this is a copy of an itinerary and, if going out of the country, a copy of a passport. Second, choose a trusted adult to make contact with on a daily basis.
Another tip when traveling out of the country should be to research the destination. Cultures are very different and offending locals could cause a traveler harm. It is also important to be aware of any political or social issues that are going on in the area that could interfere with the trip. A good place to research is the U.S. Department of State. Their Web site is travel.state.gov.
It is also important to learn the laws of the travel location. Being a citizen of the U.S. does not save travelers from a foreign country’s justice system. Keep this in mind when you are consuming alcohol.
The next safety tip, and one of the most popular safety tips, is the buddy system. “Stick to the buddy system, never go anywhere alone and remember to be observant of your surroundings,” said freshman Katie Neely. “I’m actually not going anywhere for spring break this year but those work for everyday.”
Most students already understand this system, but when alcohol is involved, it should be taken a step further. One buddy should agree to stay sober and keep watch for the other buddy throughout the night. The next night, the buddies can switch roles. Everyone can have the fun they want and still be safe while doing so.
When traveling to a foreign country, be sure to register the trip with the U.S. Department of State. This allows the government to be able to contact travelers if they feel they are in danger because of any activities taking place in a country.
The last, and most important safety tip, is to have an emergency plan. Learn the phone numbers for the local authorities when you reach your destination. Carry emergency contact numbers at all times and notify contact information holders of any changes in plans. Hotels can also be used as a contact number in case of an emergency
So, now that you know the basics, it is up to you to keep yourself safe over the break. Don’t let dangerous situations ruin your fun because you didn’t protect yourself.
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