Types of Protection

1. Types of Protection As Spring Break comes upon us, please take these precautionary measures to ensure that you stay safe and that you have the best time possible. No Hospital Visits No Babies Just Good, Safe Fun

2. Helmet • Are you going on a bike adventure over Spring Break? Are you going to skateboard, play hockey, play baseball etc? Then you need to wear a helmet! • All helmets attempt to protect the user's head by absorbing mechanical energy and protecting against penetration. • Helmets used for different purposes have different designs. They also have different accessories- for example a motorcycle helmet with a visor. • Please wear your helmet so that if you crash, you are protected and can remain healthy.

3. Sunglasses • Are you going to be in the sun all Spring Break? Are you going to be driving in a car, playing sports, or just mowing the lawn? Then you need to wear sunglasses! • Sunglasses or are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. • Sunglasses prevent serious forms of cancer and prevent blindness and many other serious health concerns • Please wear sunglasses! You want to be able to see the world!

4. Gloves • Are you going to be working outside over Spring Break? Are you going to be boxing, going to a cold climate, climbing? Then you need to wear gloves! • Gloves protect and comfort hands against cold or heat, damage by friction, abrasion or chemicals, and disease; or in turn to provide a guard for what a bare hand should not touch. • Gloves are essential for protecting your hands! • Please wear gloves so you do not damage your ten vital appendages called fingers!

5. Lip Balm • Are you going to be talking a lot over Spring Break? Are you going to be in the cold or kissing a lot of people? Then you need to use lip balm! • The primary purpose of lip balm is to provide a layer on the lip surface to seal moisture in lips and protect them from exposure. • Dry air, cold temperatures, and wind all have a drying effect on skin by drawing moisture away from the body. • Lips are particularly vulnerable because the skin is so thin, and thus they are often the first to present signs of dryness. • Please wear lip balm! No one likes chapped lips.

6. Life Jackets • Are you going to be swimming over Spring Break? Are you going to be water skiing, tubing etc? Then you need to wear a life jacket! • A life jacket is a device designed to assist a wearer, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat with his or her mouth and nose (airway) of his or her head's face above the water surface when in or on water. • Please wear a life jacket! You do not want to drown while having a good weekend.

7. Sunscreen • Are you going to be in the sun over Spring Break? Are you going to be outside in any way? Then you need to use sunscreen! • Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn. • Sunscreen protects against skin cancer and prevents wrinkles! • Please use sunscreen while outside! You will prevent itchy sunburns and those ugly sunglass lines around your eyes!

8. Knee and Other Pads • Kneepads or knee pads are protective gear worn on knees to protect them against impact injury during , e.g., a fall or a strike, or to provide padding for extended kneeling. • Kneepads are worn in many recreational and sporting activities such as cycling, roller-skating, skateboarding, volleyball, handball, basketball, football, dancing, etc • Please wear these pads! If you like stitches and broken bones, then do NOT wear them!

9. Condoms • Are you going to be engaging in sexual activity over Spring Break? Are you going to be at a club, around your boyfriend/girlfriend? Then you need to have a condom handy! • A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs—such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV). • Do you want babies? Then do NOT use a condom. But for most of us, please use a condom over break. No one wants the added responsibility of a baby in college!

10. Other Things to Consider • If traveling out of the country, please get an international travel appointment with the health center beforehand. This will help you keep up to date with possible infections in your country of destination • If you are going to the popular destination spots in Mexico, please use extreme caution. Keep track of your personal belongings. Be weary of how much alcohol you consume and where you are. Also, use the buddy system. The Natalie Holloway incident in 2005 is an example of the potential dangers associated with traveling. • Please go out and have fun and try new things. Spring Break is a time to enjoy the company of friends and to forget about school. Please be safe and make good decisions!

11. Created by: Daniel Van Voorhis Ohio State University Resident Advisor