Spring break safety tips for college students

(ARA) - One of the most anticipated times of the year for a college student is spring break. It's an excuse to leave town, hang out with friends and forget about class.

Unfortunately, spring break also brings potential safety risks. No matter where you plan to travel, keep yourself and your home safe with the following spring break safety tips:

Choose your destination wisely. There's never been a better time to land great travel deals, which means you don't have to settle for an unsafe hotel or a destination spot you aren't crazy about. Pick a place that is safe and do some research on tourism in the area. This is especially important if you plan to leave the country.

And be sure to travel with people you know and trust. Whether it's a student group or a few close friends, you'll want to be with people who look out for your safety.

Increase your home security before leaving town. College towns can become burglary hotspots during spring break. Criminals know many residents are out of town and look for easy ways to access homes and apartment complexes.

Lock all your doors before you leave. If you live in a house or own an apartment, consider installing a home security system. Residences with a monitored home alarm system are three times less likely to be burglarized than those without them.

Keep your family informed about your travel plans. Don't make travel plans without keeping your parents or close friends in the loop. If you have a set schedule, give them a copy of it. This way, they will know how to reach you in case of an emergency.

Also, consider keeping a card with emergency contacts in your wallet. This could include your home phone number or parents' cell numbers.

If you're driving, use extra caution. Whether you're headed to a spring break hotspot on the Florida coast or the mountains of Colorado, drive with caution. Stay off your cell phone and never text while driving. The more passengers in your car, the greater the chance of an accident - so make sure everyone buckles up.

Always practice defensive driving. Even if you're being safe, it doesn't mean other drivers will do the same.

Stick with your group. Never leave the group you're with on spring break - even if it's the middle of the day. Choose at least one person you plan to stick with the entire time, although the larger the group, the better.

When you arrive at your destination, choose a meeting spot where everyone will know to go in case someone gets lost or splits up from the group.

Spring break is a time for fun with friends and fellow students. But when you leave home, security and safety should be a top concern. Staying safe will ensure you return to school with great memories from spring break 2010.

Courtesy of ARAcontent