State's Attorney Offers Tips to Stay Safe on Spring Break

Even though our Chicago weather indicates otherwise, it is finally the season of spring break.

If you and your family are planning a trip this spring, here are a few tips for keeping yourselves safe while enjoying a little rest and relaxation: 

• When you arrive at your destination, put the name and address of your hotel into your phone.  Most vacation destinations have numerous hotels that look and sound alike; this will help you direct your cab drivers to the correct location.  And since room keycards don’t have the room numbers on them, you should also put your room number in your phone.

• Also put local taxi service numbers in your phone.  This will save time when returning from an excursion.

• Have fun but stay alert.  Resort towns and a party atmosphere can give vacationers a false sense of security.  Don’t assume everyone is there just to have fun.  Keep an eye on your valuables.

• When enjoying a night out, remember, you arrived together, you leave together.  Don’t let someone from your group leave with someone they just met, not even to just step outside for a moment.  Have a plan of a time and location to meet and check in with each other if you do get separated.

• Before leaving your hotel for a day trip or excursion, study brochures, local maps and ask the hotel staff about your intended destination.  Have an idea of how far away and approximately how long it will take to get there and back and what you may need to bring with you, such as additional money, food, drink, etc.

• While a big goal of spring break for many is getting tan, be smart.  Stay hydrated (with water) and use sunblock.  Don’t ruin your trip by suffering from dehydration or severe sunburn.

Just a few common sense tips can help make your trip fun and memorable.

Stay safe!

Anita Alvarez

Cook County State’s Attorney