Spring Break Travel Tips

While many students choose to spend spring break vacation with family, make plans to work during the time off, or just choose to stay on campus, many others travel to destinations in Florida, travel down to Cancun, or enjoy the sun in Panama City. Such trips frequently involve large crowds, contact with strangers and access to alcohol. It is important for students to be aware of their own safety, as well as the safety of their friends; if you're planning a spring break vacation, here are some safety tips to remember, to protect both yourself and your valuables.

So you've planned to go away for spring break. No doubt, you're very excited and in a hurry to go, but there are several commonly overlooked things that you should do, prior to leaving. First of all, if you live on or off campus, remember that you should prepare your home before you go. Simple tasks, such as turning on the outdoor lights, putting in a timer or a motion light and ensuring that you have moved your larger, more expensive valuables away from the windows will help prevent burglary. Additionally, a quick stop should be made at your post office, to ask them to hold your mail until you return, or you can get a form online, by visiting the United States Postal Service's website.

Another trick for protecting your home is to pull the curtains on the first floor, but to ensure that curtains are left open on all floors, second level or higher; this allows neighbors, police or campus security a good view into your home. Be sure to let those neighbors know that you're going away for a few days, and when you plan to return and, chances are, they will be more than happy to keep an eye on things and make sure nothing strange occurs. Always ensure that you've taken the time to lock all windows and doors securely and, if you have sliding doors, that you've placed a wooden dowel or stick in the sliding track to make them more difficult to open.