Reduce Your Risk on Spring Break

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 7, 2018) — Spring Break trips to faraway, and mostly warm, locales are imminent. Although Spring Break allows students the opportunity to create lasting memories, the University of Kentucky Police Department wants safety at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

“We want students to unwind and have fun while on Spring Break,” said UKPD Chief Joe Monroe, “but we also want them to be aware that there are higher instances of sexual assault, theft and binge drinking that could compromise their well-being and safety.”

To help ensure an enjoyable Spring Break, UKPD urges the following safety tips.

Top 3 Spring Break Safety Tips:

1. Trust your intuition.
2. Know your limits.
3. Give or obtain consent, which is an affirmative, ongoing, mutually understood yes.

Do’s:

• Do your homework:
  • If going out of the country: be aware of travel alerts, know the laws, and make copies of your ID, medical insurance and passport.
  • If driving: have a valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
• Be Smart:
  • Purchase re-loadable credit cards that are not tied to your banking account. Carry a combination of cash and a re-loadable credit card.
  • Stay between the 2nd to 6th floor of hotel rooms. First floors are susceptible to intruders and fire ladders can’t reach past the 6th floor.
  • Stay away from large, drunken crowds. There is a high risk of assault and sexual abuse in the middle of them.
  • Have a code word to let your friends know you are in an uncomfortable situation. Always stay with your friends and leave with your friends.
  • Take care of your health: stay hydrated, practice sun safety and don’t skip meals.
• Be situationally aware:
  • Put away electronic distractions and pay attention to things around you.
  • Make eye contact and project confidence to others.
  • Make mental notes of fire exits and stairwells.
• Utilize available safety resources:
  • Download the LiveSafe app: utilize the SafeWalk feature with friends to ensure a safe arrival. Contact the nearest 9-1-1 location through Emergency Options.
  • Sign up for the S.T.A.R.R. Women’s Self-Defense class offered by UKPD to expand on general safety tips and self-defense tactics.

Don’ts

• Don’t share too much information on social media: adjust your privacy settings and be cautious about revealing personal information and specifics while on Spring Break.
• Don’t partake in risky behavior: never leave drinks unattended, don’t accept drinks from strangers, don’t drink to excess and never get behind the wheel when drinking.

For a more comprehensive list of Spring Break safety tips, visit http://www.safespringbreak.org/safety-tips/.