Prepare for a Safe Spring Break!
Don't forget that the Community of Care can travel from BU to
your vacation destination for Spring Break! Make healthy choices,
support others in doing so and look out for one another.
- Going somewhere new? Learn your surroundings and trust your
gut! Explore in daylight and make a plan for how to get home if you
go out at night. (Tip: 1-800-Taxicab will dispatch
your call to a local cab company from any U.S. city!)
- Go out and stay out with your trusted friends and
travel buddies. Don't accept drinks from people you
do not know. You've heard it before!
- If you choose to drink alcohol, try drinking a glass of
soda or water first. Observe with a clear head what is
taking place around you before choosing whether or not to consume
alcohol that night.
- If you or your friends are choosing to drink, know how
alcohol typically affects you. If you are noticing
behavior that is out of character for a friend, this could be a
sign that s/he has been drugged or has had too much to drink.
Find a way to leave the situation and stay together.
- Remember that alcohol does not act as a permission slip for
sex. Be aware that excessive alcohol consumption is often
associated with sexual assault. Don't make any assumptions
about sex. Define your limits and make your intentions known, talk
about it!
- Know that what happens on Spring Break won't
necessarily stay on Spring Break if you pick up an STD. If
you meet someone and want to get to know them better, consider the
consequences moving forward physically. If you choose to have sex,
choose to use protection. Do you know the status of your sexual
health? Add
testing to your list of pre-Spring Break to-do's!
- Going somewhere sunny?! Slather on the sunscreen 30
minutes before exposure to allow it to fully bind to the
skin. Up to 40% of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth
on a completely cloudy day. Who knew?! Check out this video to learn more about the sun and your
skin!
- Stay hydrated and limit your consumption of caffeine
and alcohol. Dehydration is the main contributor of
hangover.
- If you're driving to your Spring Break destination,
make sure the driver's seat is a no phone
zone!
- Always carry your health insurance card when
traveling in case you need care along the way. It
may save you from having to pay out of pocket and wait for a
reimbursement.
For more spring break safety tips, visit www.cdc.gov/family/springbreak/.
Pack the Community of Care in your Spring Break suitcase. Take
it with you!