Written By: Destanie Ontiveros, NCT9-1-1 Communications Coordinator
It’s Spring Break time here in Texas! Spring break is a wonderful opportunity to relax and decompress whichever way you see fit. Whether you are traveling or staying home this spring break season, the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) would like to share some spring break safety tips to help you stay safe. Some suggestions are to watch the weather, do not overshare on social media, stay aware of your surroundings, and most importantly, know your location.
Everyone knows how unpredictable the weather can be here in Texas. One recommendation to take into consideration is to keep a watchful eye out for the weather. The weather can sometimes make or break your plans. To have a safe and less stressful spring break, it is recommended to plan around the weather. For some traveling out of state, the weather in other locations might be more important. If you are planning to travel outside of Texas this spring break, it is recommended you watch the weather of your destination and the local weather. Nothing slows you down on the road more than getting caught in bad weather, especially when heading out of state.
As much as we all love sharing with friends and family our great spring break plans and updates, it is recommended to not overshare important information like your location and plans on social media. Whether you have your social media accounts set to private or public view, people can still access information you put out on the internet. Because of this, it is recommended to not share your current location or plans on social media. Instead, consider posting pictures of your spring break after your trip!
Being vigilant of your surroundings is something everyone should be doing at all times. When it comes to being in a new or unfamiliar place, this may seem like an automatic thing to do. Given the circumstances of traveling, being aware of your surroundings is very important, especially if you need to leave suddenly or call 9-1-1. When traveling, you may be focused on different things, but keep in mind that staying vigilant to your surroundings is important.
Speaking of staying aware of your surroundings, let’s talk about why it is important to know your location this spring break season. In the worst-case scenario, if you find yourself in an unfamiliar or new location and need 9-1-1 assistance, knowing your location will help 9-1-1 better assist you. You can know your location by looking up the physical address, becoming familiar with important landmarks around you, or using the What3Words app. The What3Words app can locate your exact location every 10 by 10 square feet. The What3Words app is a great tool to use in an area that doesn’t necessarily have an address, like a beach or hiking trail. To learn more about What3Words, visit our What3Words blog here.
When it comes to spring break, we all want to have fun and unwind. By keeping keep an eye on the weather, not oversharing important information on social media, staying vigilant of your surroundings, and always knowing your location, you can ensure to enjoy your trip more. NCT9-1-1 hopes these spring break safety tips help you stay safe this spring season and enjoy this well-deserved break!