March 19, 2025 — Emergency Care, Health & Safety Tips, Resources
Spring break is a time to unwind, have fun, and make lasting memories. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the mountains, or just enjoying a staycation, prioritizing spring break safety means being aware of common injuries and knowing when to seek emergency care.
Stay informed to avoid serious health risks and keep the fun going!
Many spring break injuries involve alcohol. Drinking too much can affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to falls, car crashes, and even drowning. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 375 alcohol-related crashes involving young drivers (ages 17-30) during spring break in 2023, resulting in nine fatalities.
Spring break brings an influx of travelers, leading to busier roads and a higher chance of traffic congestion, distractions, and accidents. Increased road trips, unfamiliar drivers, and longer travel times make caution essential for a safe journey.
Beaches and pools are popular destinations during spring break, but they can be dangerous. Drownings, near-drownings, and watercraft injuries are common. Strong currents, lack of supervision, and alcohol consumption increase the risks.
Spending too much time in the sun without protection can lead to painful sunburns, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Heat-related illnesses can be serious and require immediate medical attention.
From beach volleyball to hiking, physical activities are a big part of spring break. Unfortunately, they can lead to sprains, fractures, or concussions if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Trying new foods is part of the vacation experience, but eating contaminated or undercooked food can lead to food poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
Whether you’re camping or at the beach, insects like mosquitoes and bees can be a nuisance. In some cases, bites and stings can cause severe allergic reactions or infections.
Not all injuries require a trip to the emergency room, but some do. Knowing when to seek immediate medical attention can make a big difference in recovery.
If someone has confusion, vomiting, slow or irregular breathing, seizures, or is unconscious, they may have alcohol poisoning. This is a medical emergency – call 911 immediately.
If you or someone else experiences severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or head trauma after a car accident, go to the emergency room right away.
If someone has difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, confusion, or is unconscious after being in the water, seek emergency care immediately.
Signs of heat stroke include a high body temperature, confusion, rapid pulse, or lack of sweating. Severe sunburns with blisters or major skin damage should also be treated by a doctor.
If there is severe pain, swelling, visible deformity, or inability to move a limb, you may have a broken bone. A head injury with loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, or confusion should be taken seriously.
Symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives, or dizziness indicate anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.
If vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, or if you experience dehydration symptoms like extreme thirst, dizziness or confusion, seek medical care.
Taking precautions can help you avoid accidents and injuries. Here are some simple but effective tips:
Spring break should be about fun and relaxation, not unexpected trips to the ER. By keeping in mind these spring break safety tips – being aware of common risks and taking simple safety precautions – you can enjoy your vacation without unnecessary stress. If an emergency does happen, Physicians Premier is open 24/7 to provide fast, high-quality care when you need it most. Visit our services page to learn more about how we can help in any emergency situation.
Sources:
“TxDOT launches spring break campaign to curb drunk driving among students,” Texas Department of Transportation, https://www.mrt.com/news/article/txdot-spring-break-drunk-driving-campaign-20205107.php
“Spring break drinking, driving warning,” Nextdoor, https://nextdoor.com/agency-post/tx/texas/texas-department-of-transportation-16/spring-break-drinking-driving-warning-386207620/
“Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses,” Physicians Premier, https://mdpremier.com/warning-signs-and-symptoms-of-heat-related-illnesses/
“Symptoms of Food Poisoning,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/signs-symptoms/index.html
“Alcohol poisoning,” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20354386
“Ten Concussion Pearls,” Physicians Premier, https://mdpremier.com/what-is-a-concussion/
“Dehydration,” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086