Spring break is approaching, but before Penn State students pack their bags and leave State College, there are a few important tips they should heed in order to stay safe while having fun over break.

Many students will be heading toward warmer and sunnier climates during their week off. While it might seem obvious to some, sunscreen should be near the top of everyone's list.

"Choose one with an SPF of at least 15 to block the UVB rays, which cause sunburn," said Susan Kennedy, associate director of University Health Services (UHS).

Kennedy added that while students traveling to beaches or tropical climates usually remember to wear sunscreen, students visiting colder areas often do not wear it because they do not realize they can still get sunburned.

"Whether you're going skiing or to the beach, if there is a lot of sun, you need to [wear sunscreen]," she said.

Kennedy said it is also important to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun's harmful rays.

Sexual health is another key element to a safe spring break, she said.

"Use condoms or latex dams for any type of sex, including oral," she said. "Spermicide enhances a condom's ability to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)."

She said contraceptives are not sufficient when used alone because they do not help to prevent STIs.

Many students also have trouble limiting the amount of money they spend over spring break, she said.

"Students can put themselves into debt in one week-long vacation, especially if you use a credit card because you're not face-to-face with the money you spend," she said.

She suggested using traveler's checks or bringing only a limited amount of cash to keep spending under control. A credit card could be used for emergencies only.

Another important aspect of spring break safety is social support, or having friends watch out for each other, she said.

"People can really put themselves into danger when they are on spring break," she said.

She said friends should look out for each other by not letting each other drink too much or leave with people they do not know very well.

Peggy Lorah, director of the Center for Women Students, said it is helpful to designate a sober person in every group who will watch out for the others.

Many students said partying with friends is the best way to stay safe.

"Make sure you hang out with people you know," said Phil DePoe (freshman-civil engineering).

Justin Hunt (junior-real estate) said friends should look out for each other.

"Be mindful of how much everyone has had to drink," he said.

Kennedy said students must keep safety on their minds while drinking.

"If you drink, it will interfere with your ability to communicate and to prevent sexual assault," she said.

Lorah said sexual assault prevention should be a main priority for both male and female students.

"People often focus on women [with respect to preventing sexual assault] but don't talk about men's responsibility in preventing it," she said.

Most students know to watch out for their female friends because victims of sexual assault tend to be women, she said.

"It is important for women to travel with friends and have a plan for leaving [the party] together, which can reduce the risk [of sexual assault]," she said.

Lorah added that students should also try to keep their male friends in check.

"If you see a friend trying to hook up with a woman who is obviously under the influence, pull him aside and say, 'This is not cool, we don't do that,' " she said.

Both men and women must be aware of the issue of consent and rape, she said.

"The person can't be impaired at all to be able to give consent," she said.

According to sexual assault data from UHS, in the academic year of 2001-2002, there were 94 sexual assault victims who sought medical assistance. All 94 were female. In 69 of the cases, the victim reported using alcohol, and in 53 of the cases, alcohol was used by the assailant.

Kennedy added that these statistics only include students who sought medical care, and that there were probably many more sexual assault incidents that went unreported.

"There is a strong connection between sexual assault and alcohol use," said Linda LaSalle, a community health educator at UHS. "Alcohol has the effect of lowering a person's inhibitions and lowering the person's ability to judge risky situations. Be careful, and know that alcohol can put you in a potentially dangerous situation."

Furthermore, students should be mindful of the risk of date rape drugs.

Lorah said some commonly used date rape drugs are Rohypnol ("roofies"), G.H.B. (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid), ketamine and even Ecstasy, because it increases its users' sex drives.

She said even if students notice their drinks taste slightly abnormal, they might not consider it to be a big deal.

"Especially if they are in another country, they might think that's just what the water tastes like there," she said.

Kennedy said the best way for a student to avoid the risk of date rape drugs is to hold on to his or her drink.

"Never let your drink out of your sight and don't put it down," she said.

She said it is important to remember that non-alcoholic beverages can also contain date rape drugs.

Many students say they are aware of the risk of date rape drugs.

"Always get your drinks yourself," said Pamela Ryan (freshman-speech communication).

Lorah said even if students follow these suggestions, they might still become victims of sexual assault if they allow themselves to be persuaded to drink more than they can handle.

"Alcohol is the most commonly used date rape drug," she said. "Men who have been perpetrators of sexual assault have said they use it as a way to render their victims incapable, saying, 'I deliberately got her drunk so she would pass out and I could have sex with her.' They encourage women to drink more, and women typically have a lower tolerance. They also try to get their victims to think, 'He's a good guy, he is taking care of me.' "

Lorah said victims of sexual assault should immediately seek medical care and should consider emergency contraception and antibiotics to help prevent pregnancy and STIs.

Kennedy said it is easy to want to let loose in a new environment while on spring break.

"People have been cooped up in bad weather, and they want to have a good time but not come home feeling terrible because something bad happened," she said. "The idea is to have a good break and come back rested and refreshed without suffering any negative consequences."