With spring break coming up, it is important that students know how to keep themselves safe throughout the week. Natasha Greene, Iowa State Public Safety Police Officer, gave tips to prepare students for the week of spring break.

Greene gave a few reminders for those staying in town for spring break.

“Things like making sure our residence is locked and secured, that we’ve unplugged everything we can in the residence and that windows are shut,” Greene said. “All that not only protects you from concerns regarding theft, but also makes sure that other water-based or weather-based emergencies don’t happen at home while you’re gone.”

Greene said those who are traveling for their break should plan ahead about their safety, which allows for more fun.

“Making sure folks know your itinerary, someone you know and trust knows your itinerary,” Greene said. “Communicating about where you’re going, when you’re going to get there, having either the buddy system or a small group of folks that you trust that are going with you.”

She also mentioned that if students are going solo, to use technology.

“Whether it’s the Iowa State Safe app or other GPS sharing capabilities to share your location with somebody that you trust to have that information,” Greene said.

Greene said to always keep your phone charged when traveling and bring a portable charger.

“When I travel, it seems like I go through my phone battery quicker than I might normally,” Greene said. “Having our phone as a tool is only useful if our phone has battery, so bringing a portable charger is a good way to make sure that happens.”

Greene said bringing other safety tools to spring break can be useful but sometimes with flying that is limited. 

“Your hands, your feet, your voice, are all self-defense tools as well,” Greene said.

Lastly, Greene said to travel with someone you trust.

“Bringing somebody that you trust and that you feel comfortable traveling with, so that no matter what the emergency is, if it’s a safety emergency or a medical emergency, or I lost my phone on the beach emergency, you’ve got somebody there who’s going to help support you through that, not just leave you stuck with that crisis on your own,” Greene said. 

For those who are adding substance use to their break, Greene said students should know their limits and know when to call first responders to get care to those in need immediately.

Greene said to use the acronym “CUPS” to detect alcohol poisoning.

• C: cold skin
• U: unresponsive
• P: puking
• S: slow or shallow breathing

Visit the Student Health and Wellness page for important wellness safety tips. 

Furthermore, Greene said spring break is a time to refuel and recharge.

“We know that students are working really hard, studying, going to school, going to their on campus or off campus jobs, involved in all the extracurriculars, and that takes a lot of energy,” Greene said. “This is a time to refuel some of that energy, so engaging with some of the well-being practices that students know help them but don’t always make time for during class or during the week. This can include also adding in new well-being practices that they haven’t had time to explore yet but that they want to over spring break, and really that’s something that they can carry through to the end of the semester to be successful as well.”

Greene wants to encourage students to do at least one thing for their mental and physical health while on break.

“I think it’s just helpful as a reminder that we deserve to take care of ourselves too,” Greene said.