This post: Spring Break Safety Tips for High School and College Kids Updated February 2023
They’re counting down the days…
Soon, 1.5 million high school and college kids across the country will be heading to the sunny beaches of Florida or California, Cancun Mexico, on a party cruise to the Bahamas or perhaps to an exotic international destination for spring break.
Regardless of where they’re headed, spring break is often considered a rite of passage for students to ditch the stress of school, cut loose and pack in a week filled with non-stop fun, socializing, and partying.
However, with the promise of endless fun, rowdy nights, and lasting memories with their friends lies more than a few hidden dangers your teen may not be aware of.
While not every teen (or young adult) will need all of these tips… many will! So, pass along these spring break safety tips for high school and college kids to ensure your child’s spring break is both memorable and safe.
14 Spring Break Safety Tips for High School and College Kids
Plan Head
Before heading out for spring break, read up on the destination you’ll be traveling to. Choose a safe hotel in a good area and, if you’re flying to your destination, research the safest options to get to the hotel including which taxi services are reputable. You can also check with the hotel to see if they have an airport shuttle service to the hotel.
Never accept rides from unapproved taxi services. Check with the hotel concierge or do research ahead of time to determine if there are any unsafe areas or destinations you should avoid while you’re there. The more information you have on the front end, the less likely you’ll be to end up in an unsafe situation.
What Not to Take
As excited as you are to pack your bag to the brim with everything you might possibly need or want during your vacation, just remember, if you’re worried about losing it, leave it at home. This may not be the trip you want to take your brand-new Fitbit or the new Ray-Ban sunglasses you worked overtime to pay for. Avoid packing anything that could potentially be a target for theft. The last thing you need is to be worried about a piece of jewelry or other valuable item being lost or stolen.
Drive Smart
If you’re driving to your destination, plan ahead and travel during the day, if possible. Statistically, more accidents occur at night. Also, make sure designated drivers have a valid driver’s license and that you have a copy of your car registration and insurance in the glove compartment.
To avoid driver fatigue, plan to switch drivers every couple of hours and have whoever is sitting in the passenger’s seat serve as the official navigator so the driver doesn’t have to worry about driving and keeping an eye out for your next turn. Also, plan to stop at gas stations regularly to fill up the gas tank since there may be long stretches of miles between gas stations. Lastly, no texting or drinking and driving.
Stay Vigilant at Hotels
We know… when you’re on vacation the last thing you want to think about is hotel security. But, returning from a fun day at the beach only to find your hotel room ransacked is a surefire way to put a damper on an otherwise amazing vacation. Now is not the time to let your guard down.
When you book your room, choose a reputable hotel with a good security record and avoid the first floor if possible since most break-ins occur on the ground level of hotels.
Always lock your door (and/or bring a portable hotel lock like this one on Amazon) and use the deadbolt or door chain when you’re in your room. Never open the door to someone you don’t know. When you leave your room during the day, ensure the door is closed on your way out. When going to bed at night always make certain the door and windows are locked.
Protect Money and Valuables
Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than being the victim of a pickpocket or theft. Experts say, the best ways to keep your money safe is to wear a money belt, avoid flashing money or valuables in public, never check valuables in checked bags and, if possible, try not to keep your money all in one place.
Party Responsibly
According to the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), during spring break 44% of college girls and 75% of college guys get drunk on a daily basis.
Approximately half of all college students will binge drink and many will drink to the point of passing out at least once on their vacation. Another study by the American College of Health found that during spring break the average guy drinks upwards of 18 alcoholic drinks per day and the average girl drinks 10 per day. The bottom line is, don’t end up a statistic.
Don’t binge drink, always eat before you drink, keep an eye on your drink and never leave your drink unattended. And, as cool as it sounds to drink while in a hot tub, the heat of the water dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure making the effect of alcohol far more intense. Remember too that sexual assaults statistically increase over spring break, and many victims report that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time they were assaulted.
Use the Buddy System
It’s easy to get caught up in the fun and hype of spring break and lose track of where your friends are. Regardless of whether you’re heading down for breakfast at the hotel restaurant or heading to the beach, always try to stick with the group. As tempting as it may seem to wander off with someone you met at a bar, it simply isn’t a risk worth taking.
Keep tabs on each other to make sure everyone is safe and always tell someone where you’re going even if you’re heading to the bathroom. Also, never allow your friends to do anything irrational, unsafe, or anything they’ll later regret.
Don’t Venture Out Alone
It’s easy to feel safe when you’re on vacation surrounded by seemingly harmless people who are simply there to have a good time like you are. However, the harsh reality is that teens and young adults on spring break are often targets of petty crimes like robbery and theft.
Don’t put yourself in a vulnerable situation by venturing off alone for any reason. If you’re venturing off to explore with your friends, remember also that the path well-traveled is always the best path. Choose the more popular destinations and avoid exploring areas that are not frequented by the crowd.
Play it Safe in the Ocean
Ahhh… the calming and inviting sounds of the ocean. It’s enough to lure any “tipsy” teen in for a quick dip. Beware though, alcohol and water are a dangerous combination. According to the CDC, alcohol is involved in up to 70% of water-related deaths among both adults and teens. And, when you’re basking in the sun during the heat of the day, the effects of alcohol are heightened.
Play it safe. Never enter the ocean (or the pool, for that matter) when you’re intoxicated, and always swim with a buddy. Pay close attention to the warning flags on beaches and if red or black flags are up, never enter the water. If you do get caught in a current, don’t try to swim against it. Swim parallel to the shore until you’re clear of the current.
Realize the Impact of the Sun
Far too many spring break vacations have been ruined as a result of the sun. Harsh burns, dehydration, and heat exhaustion are all too common among spring breakers. Add in the fact that the heat of the sun intensifies the effect of alcohol and you can see why so many high school and college kids end up in the emergency room.
Be smart. Always wear sunscreen and don’t forget sensitive areas like the tops of your feet, toes, ears, and nose. Drink moderately, know your limit (and stick to it), drink plenty of water or sports drinks, and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated. If, for any reason, you begin to feel the effects of the sun including dizziness, rapid heartbeat, elevated temperature, or a headache, for instance, take immediate precautions. Mild dehydration can be managed by drinking plenty of fluids, but heatstroke is nothing to fool around with. Left untreated it can cause permanent damage or even death.
Practice Safe Sex
It’s spring break – time to party down, get a little crazy, meet a few new guys or girls, and maybe even “hook up.” But, before you get wrapped up in the hook-up culture so prevalent among spring breakers, you might want to think twice to avoid regret.
In a new Project Know Survey of nearly 900 spring breakers, 32% admitted to regretting a sexual encounter while on spring break. Not only can having sex on spring break trigger feelings of regret, there’s always the concern of STDs and unintended pregnancy.
To avoid an unwanted outcome, establish your personal boundaries on the front end and stick to them. If you choose to have sex, don’t have unprotected sex. Also, because women are more likely to be victims of sexual violence than men, it’s important to fully understand the rules of consent. According to Girls Fight Back, consent is defined as giving permission for something to happen and that permission must be given freely and never coerced. Remember… consent can never be given when the other person is severely intoxicated.
International Travel Tips
If you’re traveling internationally, there are a few more things you need to be aware of to stay safe. Before you travel, make certain you’re up to date on all vaccinations. Always carry your ID, passport, and emergency cash with you, and consider using traveler’s checks and bringing a backup credit or debit card with you, just in case. Make copies of all your credit cards and passport to be safe. Leave all important valuables at home and be extra vigilant about keeping a close watch on your cash, credit cards, cell phone, and camera while in public.
Check with your local cell phone provider to ensure your cell phone will have adequate coverage in the country you’re traveling to and remember, quite often, higher rates apply.
And, no matter how eager you are to explore the native areas of any country, avoid venturing into isolated areas that aren’t frequented by tourists. Take the time to do a little research before traveling to learn about the customs, laws, and what number to call in an emergency. If traveling to Mexico, keep in mind that Mexico has very strict drug laws. In some cases, even a small amount of drugs can lead to charges and severe penalties. Above all, plan ahead, stick together as a group, and always be aware of your surroundings.
Stay Alert
Regardless of whether you’re on a cruise ship, on the sunny shores of Florida, or traveling through Europe, when you’re traveling it’s always important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Stay in populated, well-lit areas, keep a close eye on your belongings, and avoid getting too personal with strangers. Keep your cell phone fully charged and with you at all times and make certain you have your hotel telephone number as well as the phone numbers of friends you’re traveling with written down in the event your phone dies.
Remember, if you or one of your friends feels uncomfortable in any situation, move on. Create a pact among your friends to stick together and watch out for each other, especially if someone has had a little too much to drink or is on the verge of making a decision they may later regret or one that compromises their safety. If traveling by cab, use your cell phone GPS to track where you’re going to ensure you’re heading in the right direction. Never accept a ride from someone you don’t know and, above all, listen to your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Be Aware of Scams
No matter how careful spring breakers are, some fall victim to clever scams that lead to loss of money or valuables. Even if you fall prey to a simple, relatively harmless scam it can be a huge headache and turn your spring break into a disappointing experience. Don’t be caught “spring broke.” Educate yourself on the top spring break scams here: Watch out for these spring break scams.
Don’t send your child out on spring break without passing along these spring break safety tips for high school and college kids. Nothing matters more than our kids’ safety…
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