General Safety

Find information on how you can stay safe in your day-to-day.

Online Safety

Many of our participants take advantage of online resources, such as Craig’s List, to locate housing or purchase inexpensive furniture, electronics, and other items. Others take advantage of social apps to meet new friends and others who share their interests. These online services can be great, but they can also expose you to danger. Follow these safety tips to avoid placing yourself in a dangerous situation or becoming the victim of fraud:

Do not share your address, phone number, and other personal information with people online that you do not know and trust.
Never give out financial information (bank account, social security number, credit card number, etc.) over the phone or by email. Only share your financial information or credit
card numbers with reputable retailers or trusted vendors.
Do not extend payment to anyone you have not met in person unless you have verified their phone number and website online and can establish that they are a legitimate business.
If you meet, in-person, with someone you met online, choose a well-lit, public location, and bring a friend. This is a good idea whether you are meeting a new friend or date, or if you are meeting to complete an online transaction.
If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of potential scams.

Summer Safety Resources

Summer in the U.S. is associated with warm weather, time outdoors, swimming, and many other fun activities. Below are several websites with sun and water safety tips!

National Safety Council
Swimming Safety
More here

Summer can be a time of extreme weather. Be sure to stay informed and prepared for conditions in your area.

Protecting Important Documents

Every year, participants misplace important documents, and replacing them can be difficult. Keep important documents, like your passport and DS-2019, in a safe place in your home and follow these helpful tips.

Do not keep your passport on your person unless necessary.
Take good care of your DS-2019 and do not lose it. You will need it to verify your eligibility
while on program, and immigration officials will ask to see it if you reenter the US during
your program. You may also need a copy of your DS-2019 for future visa applications.
Make a copy of your passport and store it in a separate location. If you lose your passport,
having a copy will make the replacement process easier.
If you need an official photo ID, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Even if you do not qualify for a driver’s license, many states’ DMVs offer an official photo ID.

Insurance Reminder

During your time in the U.S., your health insurance provider will be Envisage. This insurance
covers emergencies from the date of your arrival through your program end date (SEVIS end
date). As such, purchasing supplemental insurance is recommended. (Please note that if you are an AYUSA Germany participant or participating in the ASAN program, you are covered by an
alternate insurance policy.)

You will find additional insurance information in the Resources tab of your MyIntrax
account.

Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drug Reminders

The legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21 years old. It is illegal to purchase or consume alcohol if you are under the age of 21. Additionally, if you are 21 or older, it is illegal to buy alcohol for someone under the age of 21.
If your gatherings involve alcohol, make a plan to get home so that you do not drive after drinking:

Prior to any drinking, designate a non-drinking driver when with a group (Often called a DD or designated driver).
Do not let your friends drive impaired. Take their keys away if necessary.
If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi/uber.
If you are hosting a party where alcohol will be served, remind your guests to designate
their sober driver, offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

Intrax cannot assist with legal fees that come with a drunken driving (DUI) charge – jail, bail, court fees, lawyer, or car damages.

Check your local and state laws for drunk-driving penalties through the Governors Highway Safety Association at http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/impaired_laws.html

To calculate your estimated blood alcohol level, go to
https://alcohol.org/bac-calculator/ and enter the information that applies to you.

Cannabis/marijuana is an illegal drug under Federal law. While some states have recently passed laws regarding marijuana, using marijuana continues to be illegal under Federal law and is not permissible while on program.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding your program, please review your participant handbook and other tools found in the Resources section of your MyIntrax account. If you need additional
assistance, you can contact Intrax from 9am-5pm (PST) Monday through Friday at 1-877-429-6753 or intsupport@intraxinc.com.