Going on Vacation? 10 Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

With spring break on the horizon, residents planning a relaxing vacation should remember to keep safety in mind.

Patch sat down with Chief Jerry Narsh to talk about safety tips. Narsh noted that risks vary based on destination, but many of the safety precautions he listed can be used for any vacation.

Narsh warned that predators residing in hot spot travel destinations know that this time of year they are flooded with tourists, making stealing and other crimes easier. That is why being aware of your surroundings and brushing up on safety tips ahead of time is a good idea, he said.

"During spring break in popular tourist areas we're the gazelles. The lions know that and they hide in the brush just waiting," Narsh said. "The goal is to watch out for the lions and turn on that sixth sense that everyone has ... follow your gut feeling in situations."

10 important safety tips to keep in mind while traveling:

1. Use the buddy system and try not to wander off on your own.
2. If you do leave your group, make sure someone knows where you are going.
3. Tour groups can sometimes be a safer option for roaming unknown territory, Narsh said, using Mexico as an example. Locals are not as likely to prey on tourists who are accompanied by other locals, Narsh said.
4. People under the age of 21 should steer away from alcohol. Narsh noted that teens tend to make mistakes while drinking, getting out of control and drawing attention to themselves and that having to pay to travel for court dates is not fun.
5. Be cautious about taking food and/or drinks from anyone you don't know. "This is a great time to decline the food or drinks sent your way from the people across the room," Narsh said.
6. Make sure your cell phone is charged and on at all times.
7. Have a plan when going out and a code name you can use with your travel companion if you feel threatened by a situation.
8. Keep an eye on your room key, don't set your property down and be sure to put your money, license and credit cards in your front pocket. Hide valuables in hotel rooms whenever possible, and make use of safes if available in your room.
9. Be wary about using Facebook, Foursquare and other social media while on vacation. If you check in on Foursquare, people will realize you are not home, which might be a threat to your house. The same goes with posting pictures to Facebook. Asking a friend or neighbor to check in on your house when you're gone is a good idea, he said.
10. Though many people venture to warm destinations where they can soak up the sun, sun screen is necessary. While you're busy protecting yourself from predators, protect your skin from nasty burns.