Welcome Center

Spring Break · April 15-19, 2024

To all Citrus College students,

We hope you are having a great semester at Citrus College. Spring break week is Monday, April 15, through Friday, April 19, 2024. Our campus safety and Student Wellness Center wanted to share some spring break safety tips for your consideration. Make the most of your spring break while staying safe and healthy with these helpful suggestions for yourself, your friends, and others.

1. Arrive safely. Please ensure a safe arrival during your spring break trip. Many travelers choose to drive through the night to reach their destinations; however, it's essential to keep in mind, according to the National Safety Council, traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day. If you must drive at night, it's recommended to have at least one person stay awake to keep the driver alert and engaged.

2. Lodging location and precautions. It is advisable to ensure your safety while staying at a hotel. One of the best ways to do this is to avoid staying on the first floor of a hotel, as this is more prone to break-ins. Since the window on the first floor is easily accessible from the ground, it is better to request a room on the second floor or higher to minimize the chances of your room being broken into. Additionally, it is crucial to lock your doors and keep important belongings like passports and wallets in the safe. Always remember to carry a hotel business card with you or know the name and address of your hotel, especially if you need to speak the local language. Refraining from telling new acquaintances your hotel or room number is also advisable to ensure your safety. You never know who has innocent or dangerous intentions.

3. Protect your location. It's key to be mindful of the information you share on social media, especially regarding your location. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network has pointed out that oversharing your location may put you at risk. To ensure your safety, it is highly recommended that you adjust your privacy settings and use your best judgment when checking in on social media apps like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc. Always be cautious about revealing too much personal information and location through status updates, tweets, and other posts.

4. Carry cash and phone numbers. If your phone or wallet is lost or stolen, have cash available and know important phone numbers. Also, consider taking a copy of your credit cards if they are lost or stolen.

5. Use the buddy system. It's always safer to use the buddy system when attending a party. Never go alone or leave with a stranger. Always bring a trusted friend with you and establish a meeting place if you get separated. If you do leave without your friends, let them know where you're going and when they can expect you back.

6. Create a code word. Create a safety signal or code word to discreetly request help from friends when feeling uncomfortable.

7. Practice safe drinking habits. If you drink, do so responsibly and be aware of your limits. To ensure everyone stays safe, take turns in your friend group so that at least one person plans on drinking minimally per night and can watch out for the others. Additionally, it's important to watch your drink and only accept drinks you've seen being made or poured before you. Avoid drinking alcohol in a hot tub, as it can dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, leading to faster and more potent effects of alcohol and dehydration. Lastly, never drink and drive.

8. If you need help, ask for it. If there's an emergency, don't rely on a bystander to call for help. Call for assistance to ensure first responders or police get the message.

9. Stay hydrated and protect your skin. Remember to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen during your spring break. Heat stroke and skin cancers are serious risks associated with spending too much time in the sun. To prevent dehydration and sunburns, make sure to take your SPF and a bottle of water with you in bright, non-shaded areas outdoors.

10. Use caution when in the water. It is important to exercise caution when swimming or participating in water sports. Though dipping in the ocean can be refreshing, it can also pose a significant risk. A powerful undertow or a riptide can pull you further from the shore and make it difficult to swim back. It is, therefore, recommended that you never swim alone, especially at night or after consuming alcohol.

11. Personal protection tools. It's a good idea to carry a small personal protection tool like pepper spray or a personal alarm in case of an attack.

12. If you are traveling outside of the country:
    • Consider signing up online for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This program allows the state department to contact you if there is a family emergency or a crisis near your travel destination. Additionally, you can download the Smart Traveler iPhone app or the Smart Traveler app for Andriod, which provides extra advice and information.
      
      
    • Before you travel, make sure to find the American consulate or U.S. Embassy's contact information for the country you're visiting, and keep friends and family informed of your itinerary.
      
      
    • Know what to do in an emergency. It is crucial to be prepared for emergencies, especially when traveling abroad. The emergency response phone number may be somewhere other than 9-1-1 in foreign nations. To ensure you are prepared, visit the U.S. Students Abroad website for a comprehensive list of emergency response numbers, detailed advice on how to deal with health emergencies, evacuations, natural disasters, crime victims, and assistance to U.S. citizens who are arrested abroad.
      
      
    • It is advised to inform your credit card and cash card companies beforehand about your travel plans. This will ensure your account won't be blocked while you're out of the country. Additionally, using these cards for transactions is recommended as they offer better exchange rates than exchanging dollars for the local currency.
      
      
    • As a precaution, make a copy of your passport. Losing or having your passport stolen can ruin your vacation.

13. Take time to relax and engage in self-care or community care. Make time for yourself and/or your community. Taking care of yourself is crucial for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This can involve intentionally engaging in healthy activities that bring you joy and relaxation. On the other hand, community care refers to any act of care provided by an individual to benefit others in their life. It can be showing compassion to others, working with non-profits in your community, or engaging with groups that share your cultural identity or affiliation.

14. Check in with yourself. We are mid-semester, and maybe you have not had a chance to check in with yourself about how you are feeling and how the semester is going. Spring break is a great time to do so. If you are having a mental health emergency, go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call or text 988 to speak to a counselor 24/7.

updated April 11, 2024