On behalf of the WIMS executive board we wish you a happy and safe spring break. We have attached some useful links that teach about Spring break safety! If you are going somewhere exciting, medical brigade, or volunteering extra hours share it with us by printing out the WIMS logo and posing with it! Your photos will be featured at the next meeting and perhaps on the website. Please remember- STAY SAFE.
Here are the main saftey tips but we encourage you to visit the attatched pages:
- if you do decide to drink, know the liquor laws of wherever you’ll be vacationing.
- Always keep an eye on your drink.
- if you are driving make sure to take turns with other passengers. If you are sitting shotgun also stay awake and alter to help the driver. never ever drink and drive.
- encourage safe, alert, defensive driving
- in hotels, make note of where AEDS, fire alarms, emergency exits are located. In the case of a fire leave all belongings and safely exit the building.
- keep track of personal belongings, id's, passports, wallet, etc. bring a copy of your passport with you if you are planning on leaving the United States. Between states remember to bring a valid ID and or drivers licence.
- When you approach the ATM, do a full 360 degree scan, looking completely around you to see if anyone is hanging out where they shouldn’t be. If someone is creeping you out, go to another ATM.
- if you are planning on being in the sun:
- Take it slow and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. If you start feeling faint or light headed, get shade and water immediately.
- know the flag system for water safety:
- Red Flag: Stay out of the water because of strong undertow and riptides.
- Yellow Flag: Use CAUTION in the water. There are some undertow and riptides possible.
- Blue Flag: Calm water. Swim safely
- Know what consent is and respect it for all forms of intimacy. At Girls Fight Back, we define consent as giving permission for something to happen and that permission must be given freely and is never coerced. Consent must be given verbally. Silence NEVER equals consent. Consent can never be implied or assumed regardless of any previous history of sexual contact. No matter what a person verbalizes, consent can never be given when a person is severely intoxicated or impaired or at any point in the encounter after the person has said NO.
- If you do choose to have sex, make sure it’s protected. Stock up on protection before you leave home so you never find yourself in a compromised situation. While other methods of birth control may avoid accidental pregnancies, condoms are the best way to prevent STD’s.
- If you see or are in an altercation where you were violated report immediately. Reach out to authorities/ family/friends/staff. Never be afraid to tell someone- we are always here for you.
- Know your local equivalent to 911. Who do you call in an emergency
Extra Links to visit to find out more:
- http://www.safespringbreak.org/safety-tips/
- http://www.safespringbreak.org/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IgkqBFTxIA