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!