Taking the right steps towards being safe is an important part of going on a vacation.
These steps involve maintaining good health, keeping automobiles safe, getting familiar with normally unfamiliar surroundings and making sure valuable items are secure.
Often, being safe during summer vacation means maintaining good health.
One of the ways to maintain good health is to take lots of fluids during the summer, no matter where one travels.
Jennifer Snyder, University Health Center marketing coordinator, said overheating could be a consequence if one doesn't drink enough water.
"You risk the chance of overheating with heat stroke," Snyder said.
Officer Jim Davis of University Police said that other bad things can happen for those who do not stay hydrated.
"Being hydrated is very important," Davis said. "If you're hydrated, you're thinking clearly. If you're not hydrated, your mind and body do not think well together."
Besides drinking lots of fluids, Snyder said wearing lightweight clothing is important.
"If you're wearing dark clothing in hot weather, you get hot faster," Snyder said.
There are further tips for summer travelers which involve keeping not just one's body safe, but one's automobile as well.
"You want to be sure the seatbelts are working and that no airbag lights are on," Ryan Cairns, an employee at The Auto Connection in Lincoln, said.
Davis said he agrees with this statement, and he added to watch how fast one is going.
"Always wear a seatbelt, be very conscious of the speed limit, know where you're at at all times, and don't drink and drive," Davis said
Cairns, who said that the best way to prevent disaster on the road is a thorough checkup before departure, said that leaks can be the biggest hazard on the road.
"The main thing is fluid leaks," Cairns said. "When you're traveling down the road, sometimes for several hours at a time, it builds up heat and drains fluids," Cairns said.
Cairns said this is especially true during the summer months, when hot weather is more severe.
Even though those steps can help one get to his or her destination, there is even more advice to follow once one arrives at the destination.
Phil Walker, who works at Execuitive Travel in Lincoln, said that pickpockets and especially people with scams, are dangerous.
"People with scams try to cheat you," Walker said.
However, Walker said there is a remedy to this problem.
"It's always a good idea when traveling to be prepared," Walker said. He said it's important to also know a little about where one is traveling.
Davis said it's simply important to make sure valuable items such as wallets are in a safe place.
"If you're savvy enough about where you carry your wallet, you'll be fine," Davis said.
Davis said that along these lines, it's important to know the laws of another state.
"Ignorance of the law is no excuse," Davis said. "The Internet is a pretty good source, like state Web sites."
Davis also said that when one blends in with the local people, he or she is less likely to encounter trouble.
"When you blend in," Davis said, "local criminals are less likely to pay attention to you."
A final piece of advice relates to taking care of valuable items.
"Guard your valuables, such as money, passports if necessary, credit cards, and keep an eye on luggage," Walker said.
Walker said that problems in airports often arise from not keeping a close enough eye on luggage.
"More often than not," Walker said, "it's lost luggage or when all that luggage comes into baggage claim, and one can grab a bag which looks like theirs."
