Spring Break 2009 Advice
By Caitlin Mannan | Staff Writer
Scores of students just like you are about to embark on their Spring Break adventures, too. However, many will have a less enjoyable time due to emergencies, forgotten items, dangerous situations and even jail time. Please keep eyes, hands and roaming attention spans inside the pages of this newspaper at all times and make sure your safety belt is securely fastened. You are now free to read on.
Be smart – use ICE.
“In Case of Emergency,” also known as ICE, is an excellent feature built into many cell phones. Before leaving on your trip, program several important numbers into the contact labeled “In Case of Emergency.” If something happens to you, and you are unresponsive, a trained responder can pick up your phone, locate the ICE list and contact your family and friends. If this feature is not already installed on your phone, go ahead and make a contact list labeled “In Case of Emergency” and enter contacts there.
Register your foreign trip with the State Department.
Civil unrest, war, natural disasters and terrorism are all possible when you’re traveling in countries outside the United States. According to Students Abroad (http://studentsabroad.state.gov/), a U.S. Department of State web site, it will be much easier for the nearest embassy to locate you and give you aid if your trip is registered with the U.S. State Department.
Being difficult to locate is the last thing you want during an emergency on foreign soil. Visit https://travelregistration.state.gov to register your trip.
Leave a paper trail.
Whether you’re traveling several hours across a state line or halfway around the world, leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends. Include phone numbers and addresses of where you expect to stay during your trip. If you are traveling outside the U.S., make sure those documents also include copies of plane tickets, passports, visas and IDs.
Don’t overcrowd an elevator.
Elevators can – and will – get stuck. Many people have seen it happen, and some have even been unlucky participants stuck inside. Getting out usually involves a visit from local firefighters, a few violations of personal space and a possible asthma or panic attack. By the time you are able to escape, you have a gawking crowd of other travelers or hotel guests waiting to greet you. Watch the weight limit, and don’t overcrowd an elevator.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Obey the laws and customs wherever you go. Yes, even if you don’t agree with them. Dressing in customary clothing, covering your hair, covering exposed skin and minding the laws will keep you out of sticky situations. According to the U.S. Department of State (http://www.state.gov/), 2,500 American citizens are arrested abroad every year. Be smart – don’t help that number grow.
Don’t forget your passport! Flying back from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean?
Previously, travelers returning to the U.S. from these locations were not required to have a passport – but the rules have now changed. According to the U.S. Department of State, anyone traveling home by air, land or sea from these places MUST have a passport.
No matter where you go, bring TWO forms of ID.
If you are of age and plan to enter a venue that allows only those who are 21 and older inside, make sure that you carry two forms of ID with you. You don’t want to watch all your friends parade inside while you’re stuck out on the sidewalk.
Use the buddy system.
Males tend to ponder the absurdity of women visiting the restroom together, but the truth is that it is probably a good idea. Sticking together – whether visiting the restroom, shopping or sight-seeing – is always a good idea in unfamiliar territory.
You’re not on Hanna Avenue anymore…
Cars will not always know to stop for you. While we all love our traffic-stopping abilities here on campus, remember that pedestrian laws are not so closely followed in other locales. Take the advice from your childhood days: “Look both ways and hold hands.” The best part? That whole “holding hands” thing is still fun.
Your cell phone, while it appears to be a useful extension of your own body, will not be your best line of defense.
Your common sense, however, will be a great defense. Don’t be fooled into thinking that someone won’t attack you because you’re talking to someone on your phone. In fact, that makes you a target because they know you aren’t paying attention to your surroundings. If you get into a bad situation, you may not be able to get to your phone to dial or text anyone – so don’t get yourself in the situation in the first place.
Keep your eye on the sky… and the side of that snowy mountain… and the smoldering volcano over there…
Natural disasters can ruin even the best-made plans. Tornados, hurricanes, avalanches and volcanoes have all made for exciting – and deadly – vacations. Make sure to keep your eye on local news and weather wherever you are, so that you don’t unknowingly travel into a potentially hazardous situation.
“Oh, no… I forgot (insert forgotten item here).”
We’ve all done it before, so here’s a list of commonly forgotten items that you really don’t want to leave behind: a camera, prescribed medication (especially asthma inhalers, insulin for diabetics, birth control, etc.), your passport and visas, tickets (for the plane, a Broadway show, the museum), written phone numbers (in case your cell phone goes dead, is lost or is broken), a small flashlight (in case of power outages), chargers for electronic equipment, a plug adapter and the nearest embassy’s phone number if traveling outside the U.S. Following guidelines, being prepared and remembering a few safety tips can only make it better.
So go grab your car keys, tickets and travel documents and get moving! (But in an orderly, safe fashion, of course.)
