UA Spring Break Starts Friday – Safety Is Vital

Spring break begins at 5:00pm Friday at the University of Alabama and continues until runs through Monday, March 23. That means there will be students out of town and altered hours for UA operations. Traffic in town will be a little easier to navigate as well.

While spring break is a time for getting away from the books, hitting the beaches, ski slopes or other fun areas; it is also a time to not let your guard down for personal and property safety and protection.

UA and Tuscaloosa Police will be stepping up patrols of student on and off campus residential areas but there are some things students can do to safeguard their school residences and be safe while away.

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Securing your on or off campus housing:

• Don’t leave your valuables in plain view in your residence. Close all curtains and blinds and leave on a light with a timer while gone.
• Lock your doors and turn off alarm clocks.
• Take out any trash to avoid pests or unpleasant smells when your return.
• Let someone know you are leaving town, such as a trusted neighbor, family member or friend.
• Plan care for your pets if you are not taking them with you.
• If leaving your car or truck in Tuscaloosa, take out all valuables, especially guns, and store them out of sight in your residence. Leave your vehicle parked in a lighted area if possible.
• If the weather forecast calls for cold weather while you are gone, leave the heat on set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.
• Upon return, do an assessment of your residence to make sure nothing has been disturbed.
• Have the post office put a temporary hold on mail delivery during the time you are away.

When traveling:

• Monitor the weather forecast and road construction. Avoid driving during dangerous winter weather conditions or driving through the night to reach your destination. If you do drive at night, make sure one passenger stays awake to talk to the driver. Make sure a friend or family member knows where you’re going, your planned route, and your estimated time of arrival.
• Make sure your gas tank is full and all external lights are functioning. Make sure you have a set of jumper cables available.
• If you are headed to a cold weather climate such as a ski resort, keep a windshield scraper, a mall shovel, flashlight, phone charger/battery pack, blanket, additional warm clothing, drinking water, and snacks in your vehicle.
• Whether you’re going someplace warm or cold, pack appropriate clothing, drink plenty of water, and wear sunscreen to avoid the risk of sunburn.
• It may be fun to meet strangers but don’t go off on your own. Stay with a group of people, and don’t leave a party with a stranger. Establish a place to meet in advance if you get separated. If you do leave your friends, let them know exactly where you’re going and when they should expect you to return. Create a code word to use if you are in an uncomfortable situation and need a friend to intervene.
• Make sure you have proper identification.
• If traveling to another country, safeguard your passport. Make a copy of your passport and keep it in a separate secure area, such as a hotel safe. Subscribe to The Smart Traveler Security Program offered by the U.S. State Department for travel alerts and to help the U.S. Embassy or consulate contact you if there's an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.
• If you are headed to a popular spring break location, remember that many cities have altered laws to better control crowds and make spring breaker safer. For instance, Gulf Shores, Panama City and Miami have established strict laws pertaining to open alcohol on city beaches. If headed to Mexico, remember there is concern about Drug Cartel violence and possible terrorist activity related to the Middle East Conflict.

If remaining on campus or in town:

• Remember that you are not the only person on spring break. Many of the UA operations either close during break or alter hours. Click HERE for a list of spring break hours from UA News Center.
• Some businesses in Tuscaloosa that cater to students also may alter hours or close.

Have a safe, enjoyable and relaxing spring break and always remember ROLL TIDE!