That time of year is upon us, when families and college students descend upon the beaches for some spring break fun in the sun. While spring break can be a great break for most, those who aren’t careful could find themselves in a dangerous situation in an unknown area. Keep these several tips in mind during your trip to ensure the relaxing vacation you intended.

Make a Game Plan

If you’re traveling with friends or family, make sure you’re all aware of your destinations and the location of your hotel or AirBnB. Communicate with your group about some of the activities you’d like to participate in and come up with a plan for meeting up at various points of the day. Ensure every member of the group has each other’s phone numbers in case of emergency, and talk to your group about what you might do in case of emergency. Planning ahead can prevent you from unnecessary stress if something were to go wrong while on vacation.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

It’s now well-know how damaging the sun’s rays can be if you spent too long outside without protection. We all know about the possibility of damaging our skin, but often forget about how a painful sunburn could limit you from having fun. Remember to reapply an FDA-approved sunscreen with at least SPF 15 at least every two hours. It’s a good idea to wear hats and sunglasses to protect your face from additional rays. If you’re traveling with kids, bring an umbrella to the beach to set up some shade, have them wear rash guards to block any unnecessary sun exposure, and keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight.

Use Safety Gear

Whether you plan on biking, rollerblading, hiking, or any other type of outdoor activity, it’s important to remember your safety gear to keep everyone safe in the event of an accident. Wearing helmets, knee and elbow pads, protective clothing, and the right kind of shoes for your activity can prevent some serious injuries. Southern California is a popular spot for spring breakers, and a hot spot for all kinds of accidents. Orange County personal injury lawyers say they’ve seen devastating car, bicycle, motorcycle, and slip-and-fall accidents affect vacationers. Make sure you’re doing what you can to keep your family safe.

Practice Water Safety

Just like the tips above, ensure your family is prepared for water safety at the beaches and in pools. Teach the kids to swim before you go on vacation so they can feel confident in their ability to play. Don’t leave children or teens unattended at the pool, and keep a close eye on family at the beach. Ask the local lifeguard if there’s a rip current in the waves, and avoid the area if so. Lastly, practice the stingray shuffle in shallow water. Shuffle your feet along the ocean floor to kick up some sand and scare away any stingrays.

Stick Together

Do your best to keep your group together while on vacation and in new places. In the event you want to split up to do different things, make sure everyone is using the buddy system and has a way to get in contact if they lose sight of the main group.

Don’t Drink and Drive

As always, don’t drink and drive. Spring break may be a relaxing time to get away from your norm, but the same safety rules still apply. If you plan on drinking, call an Uber or Lyft to get you from point A to point B. It’s not worth spoiling your vacation with a potentially devastating car accident.