10 Spring Break Safety Tips For Sorority Girls and Beyond

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Wow, wasn't it just NYE?! Now, all of a sudden it's Spring Break! Well, one thing both NYE and Spring Break have in common is that it's a time to party. You've worked hard so it's definitely time for a vacation. However, it's important to stay safe during this mini break. Below are our Spring Break Safety Tips. Be sure to share these with your sisters/friends and practice them yourself.

1. If you're traveling, especially out of the country, identify a safe place to keep your id and/or passport. We recommend using the safe that is found in most hotels.
2. Even though you are ultimately responsible for yourself - keep a watchful eye on your friends. Don't let them stray with anyone you feel is suspicious. 
3. In fact, keep a watchful eye on your drinks. Unfortunately, date rape drugs are real and can be slipped into your drink at any moment. If you place your drink down unattended, DO NOT drink from it again. Throw it away and buy a new drink - it's just not worth it.
4. ALWAYS have your phone on you. Keep it fully charged. If you're in a different country, consider getting a cheap loaner phone. Just have something on you so friends and family have a way of getting a hold of you.
5. If you are of age and plan on drinking, do not drink excessively. Be mindful of your body weight and how alcohol consumption can impact that. Don't mix your alcohols either.
6. Have a safety word between you and your friends. This is a code word that your friends can associate to you needing help. A fun word could be "Pineapples!" {haha}
7. Remember that No means "NO!" - don't ever feel obligated to do anything you don't feel comfortable doing.
8. Understand the laws in the state or country you're visiting and abide by them to the fullest.
9. Drink A LOT of water - stay hydrated at all times.
10. It's okay to have a relaxing day - you don't have to be the life of the party every day. Relax. After all, this is a BREAK for you!

Have fun!

How To Stay Safe During Spring Break

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We miss having spring breaks because we know how much fun they are! There is nothing like going on a trip with your girl friends and guy friends to a fun city to party the days away. However, spring break can be a bit dangerous if you're not taking the proper precautions so we wanted to share with you some ways to stay safe during spring break

1. Share your travel itinerary with someone--When you're traveling, you want to be sure that someone you trust knows your itinerary just in case you may get lost or delayed.
2. Lock your hotel when you leave--We have all done it before; we walk out of our hotel room never looking back to see if it actually closed. Always double check to see that the door closes behind you. You wouldn't want anything stolen out of your room.
3. Wear sunscreen!
4. Have a buddy system in place--Now, we are not saying to stalk your friends every move, but have a friend that you can at least be eye contact distance away from each other. There are a lot of people who like to prey on vulnerable woman and it would not be great to find out that your friend has gone missing and is no where to be found. Simply check in with each other whether it's eye contact or a text saying, "I'm okay!"
5. Don't go home with strangers--Self explanatory.
6. Never accept a drink that you don't know where it came from- Sadly, there are people out there who choose to rufy drinks in order to place their victim in a vulnerable situation to take advantage of them. Don't put your drink down and leave it unattended. If you do, throw that drink away!
7. Most importantly, know your limit--Ultimately, YOU are responsible for yourself. Don't put yourself or your friends in compromising situations because you decided to ignore your limits.

Have fun and be safe this spring break!

Using Your iPhone To Stay Safe

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Your iPhone Can Keep You Safe from Instrument Yielding Bandits by Rose, Security Gem

All criminals are dirty looking drug addicts right?   I wish.  I wish they were that easy to spot but a quick search of news on college break-ins will show that most robbers are RAs, football players, basketball players, cross country team members, and indy musicians.  The criminals are the guys next door or rather the guy next door who is also really drunk….  The truth is that we make so many friends in college that they become our family.  All of a sudden our friend’s friends and our friend’s friend’s friends are our friends and our doors are open for everyone but I’m here to remind you to lock the door.  Going to the bathroom?  Lock your door.  Going to your neighbor’s room?  Lock your door.  

My Phone, My Guardian

The good news is that technology has made home security accessible and affordable for everybody and most of it can be controlled via an iPhone or Android device as I mentioned in Campus Security 101: 5 Tips To Keep You Safe.  Oh you know the iPhone….the constant companion, cure for nostalgia, study partner, match maker, navigator, and bodyguard.  Yes, your iPhone can be a bodyguard via the use of apps which can even turn your phone into a video surveillance system.  Don’t you dare be intimidated as I promise that you don’t have to be tech savvy at all to do any of these things.  If you can download Instagram you are qualified to turn your iPhone into a safety device.  One of the simplest ways is to simply download a personal safety app.  BSafe is one personal safety application.  They focus on turning your phone into a GPS based panic button.   Using the app, you can program your phone to automatically notify your family, 911, or your friends of your exact location with the push of a button. It can also be setup to “fake call you” which could be rather handy during a bad first date.  BSafe offers a free basic version of their service or you can pay $20 a year for premium service.  Another popular app is called Watch Over Me.  Watch Over Me allows you to create your own safety rule tied to a specific amount of time.  For example, you might set it before you walk home alone from class at night to alert your friends if you don’t make it within 15 minutes.  Finally, you might want to take a look at OnWatch.  Like the other apps OnWatch allows you to preset emergency contacts for a one button dial.  You can connect it to your local 911, campus security, or even friends.  

Video Surveillance

Apps are great for keeping us safe when we are out but you can’t ignore in-home safety either.  Most burglaries on campus are executed by opportunists.  That means they wait until Spring Break, Thanksgiving, or even Winter Break/Summer Break to strike.  If you have video surveillance you could simply access your video system directly from an app on your iPhone or Android device to check-in on your home no matter where you are.  What’s even better is that most systems will alert you if a window is opened or movement is detected by calling and sending you a text message.  Traditionally you had to own a home to have a security system but new school technology companies have banned contracts, monthly fees, and drilling which means that anyone can install a system. 

There are several new school technology companies that were all started via crowdfunding.  Many of the new technologies are set to launch soon like Piper, Canary and Scout.  One crowdfunded project that is already launched is called iSmartAlarm.  Their video surveillance package is $349 which is cheaper than an Xbox One.  Piper, Canary, and Scout are all pre-selling but should also be in the $200-$400 range depending on what you buy.  No matter what you choose just be sure to get video surveillance!  It would be a scary experience to receive a text alert notifying you of a problem if you couldn’t actually “see” what was going on inside of your home.  

With all that said I hope you remember one thing: lock your doors always.  

Take a Road Trip!

Spring Break is right around the corner... what better time to hop in the car with your favorite people, and go on a road trip!  No matter where you live, there are fun places to visit and sights to see all across the country.  Pack your bags and map out your location, it's time to go for a ride!

Before you get going, we thought of a few helpful hints to make your road trip into a fun adventure.  After all, you wouldn't want to be stuck on the road without snacks or some good music!  Read on for our tips to road trip success.

Driving in the middle of nowhere with your best friends sounds like a lot of fun, but it's no fun when someone gets hungry.  And cranky.  Pack up a bag of snacks for the trip... nuts, fruit, and something for that salty or sweet tooth should do the trick.

It might be tempting to not drink liquids during your roadtrip (less bathroom breaks?) but it's wise to pack those water bottles before you go.  Keep hydrated, drink up!  Throw in a Red Bull or energy drink too for the driver, if they feel up for it!  You can always make a stop if needed.

Nothing like a speeding ticket to put a damper on your mini vacay.  Be mindful of your speed, and check for speed limit signs around you.  Better yet, put your car on cruise control!

Make sure your ride is in good shape before you go.  Check that tire pressure, get the oil changed if needed, and make sure overall that your vehicle is in safe condition to drive for a long period of time.  After all, you've got precious cargo inside!  Besides, being stranded on the side of the road does not make for an ideal situation.  If you or a friend traveling with you has AAA, that's great too!

Bring your phones fully charged from the night before, and bring a car charger while you're at it.  Again, nobody wants to get stranded.  Just in case!

The best part of a road trip?  Singing along to your favorite songs!  Make a playlist before you hit the road, even ask your friends for special requests to add on to the list.  Keep the song selection lively & energetic, for impromptu car dance parties.

Wear comfy clothes for the drive.  Sweats, tank tops, hoodies, flip flops... just kick back and relax!  Throwing a pillow and blanket in the car is also a good idea, just in case you want to cuddle up for a little nap.

What are some of your favorite tips & suggestions for taking a road trip?  Be sure to share with us below!

Holiday Safety Tips

Karen came across some awesome Holiday Safety Tips from her apartment complex that we wanted to share with you all. The holidays bring about a lot of hustle & bustle as people shop for loved ones and travel home. It also unfortunately promotes high criminal activity so it is important to take all the necessary safety measures to make sure you and your home are okay. Below are awesome safety tips you should keep in mind during this holiday season.

• Remember where you parked. Make a note of the entrance that is closest to your car. 

• Try to use an exit nearest to where you parked.

• Do not tempt thieves. Avoid leaving packages or other items in the car seat or elsewhere in plain sight. 

• Lock your car when you leave it, even if only for a short time.

• Try to avoid walking alone.

• Walk and park in well-lit areas whenever possible.

• Be alert to anything that looks unusual or when someone “accidentally” bumps into you. That’s how thieves often distract their victims. Try to avoid carrying packages that block your view. 

• Glance in the back seat before getting in your car.

• As you leave a building, carry your keys concealed in your hand.

• Do not hesitate to ask a security guard for help or for an escort to your car.

• Be cautious in showing the amount of cash you are carrying. 

• Never leave a burning candle in a room unattended. When disposing of matches, dampen with water first. Never throw a warm match away. Before lighting a Hanukkah Menorah or Kwanza Kinara, make sure the candles fit securely in the holder and, if you put them in the window, make sure to keep the flames a safe distance from blinds and/or curtains.

• If you choose to have a live tree, try to select a fresh one. To keep your tree fresh, cut a diagonal slice off the bottom of the trunk to help the tree absorb water. Check the stand often and keep it full of water at all times.

• Do not put your tree (live or artificial) near any electrical appliances or heat sources, like a fireplace or heater.

• Use fire retardant decorations. Try not to have the lights overlap with any ornaments or touch the tree stand.

• Test all electrical decorations for faulty wiring or burned out bulbs.

• Do not put cords under rugs. Keep cords out of traffic paths.

• Hang tinsel and decorations out of reach of small children and pets.

• Check with your local trash company or if you live in an apartment, your management company, for proper disposal of live trees.

• If your fireplace is equipped with gas or permanent (ceramic) logs, never add wood or other material to the fire.

• Keep flammable materials away from the hearth.

• Make certain the flue is open and clear before starting a fire.

• Always use a fireplace screen to keep sparks contained.

• Never overload the fireplace. Never burn tree parts, paper or other rubbish in the fire place.

• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on a grate.

• Never use fire starters like kerosene, gasoline or lighter fluid in the fireplace.

• Never leave the fire unattended and besure the fire is extinguished before you go to bed or leave your home.

• Keep Christmas stockings and other decorations well away from the flames.

• Close blinds and set lights on a timer so it appears someone is home.

• Secure your windows, doors and sliding glass doors.

• Place a hold on mail, newspaper and other deliveries through the delivery service or have a neighbor pick them up.

• Leave heat “on” at a temperature of at least 60 degrees to reduce risk of pipes freezing during cold weather.

• Let water dripin your faucets and leave cabinet doors open in extreme cold to prevent pipes from freezing.

Please remember to always be alert and to call 9-1-1 if any crime is witnessed or suspected.

*These tips are intended to provide general guidance only and not legal advice. Each person must take steps necessary for personal protection.

The new {must have} phone app: React Mobile!

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App available on iTunes

It’s scary to walk around campus or to the parking garage from the office alone at night.  So, the second we heard about ReactMobile, we wanted to share it with our readers!  React Mobile just hit iTunes and its an app that everyone should have if they don’t already.  Your best friend (your cell phone), turns into a powerful lifeline by becoming a security device and allows you to report incidents and criminal activity.

Our favorite part about the app is the “Follow Me” feature.  When you’re alone and you feel unsafe, turn on the “follow me” feature to allow your friends and family to track where you are in real-time.

Download React Mobile on iTunes today if you haven’t already, and stay safe! Better safe than sorry, right?  Make sure that your friends and family are safe too by using React Mobile and check out their site for a more detailed information on their app!  Oh! and of course it's FREE!