It doesn’t matter whether you’re preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation or if you travel often; it’s critical to incorporate safety concerns into your pre-trip preparation. The following travel safety guidelines may help you arrange an exciting trip and reduce safety hazards.
Travel Safety 101
Avoid Posting Locations or Agendas on Social Media
According to the survey, 32% of respondents would avoid sharing photographs or status updates online abroad, and only 20% would disable geotagging on photos. If you disclose your plans or location on social media, potential criminals can track you, making it easier for them to organize their illicit behaviors.
Thus, you should wait until you return home before writing about your trip.
Take Care of Your Money
Carrying large sums of cash is never a good idea. Open an account with a credit card firm or a foreign bank instead so that you can use ATMs in your area. If you need to withdraw a large sum of money at once, keep most of it secure at your accommodation and withdraw just what you need for the day.
Moreover, using ATMs linked with banks is recommended since scam artists are less likely to have interfered with this technology.
Never put all of your money in one account. Keep your cash and credit cards in at least two distinct places so you are not completely out of cash if one of your stashes is taken.
Keep in Touch with Your Family and Friends
Make sure someone is aware of your plans before you leave, and continue to keep that person informed of any changes. Contact a close friend or family member in your hometown at the end of each day.
We understand that this may seem irritating, but it is best to err on caution rather than look back with regret. If someone knows where you want to be on a certain day, they will be better positioned to help you if anything bad occurs.
Research Your Accommodation
When choosing a place to stay, price and proximity to your destination are typically two of the most important variables; nevertheless, you should not underestimate the value of location research, especially if this is your first trip to the area.
Using tools like Google Maps or MapQuest may help you get a better sense of the area, and this impression can be verified by reading reviews published by other travelers on websites like TripAdvisor or Hotels.com.
According to SteinLaw, a well-known West Palm Beach negligent security lawyer, “When you make your reservation, ensure the accommodation has security cameras installed. Security cameras installed in high-risk areas such as the lobby, corridors, stairwells, and parking lots are effective deterrents for would-be thieves.”
Keep Gender Issues in Mind
As much as it hurts us to admit it, gender discrimination is still a prominent problem in today’s modern culture. Women face distinct problems than men, in both good and bad ways, and they get different treatment overall. These concerns may be minor or serious, depending on the country in which you live.
Traveling as a woman necessitates more care and awareness of one’s surroundings. To avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation, you must be more cautious and depend on your instincts.
Listen to as many pieces of advice for women traveling alone as you can, and educate yourself on the gender dynamics of the countries you want to visit.
Acquire Travel Insurance
To protect yourself and the money you’ve spent on your trip, you should take precautions against unplanned issues. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance may help pay you for losses covered by the policy, such as those caused by inclement weather, natural disasters, certain illnesses, and other issues.
Other forms of travel insurance may help protect you against unexpected medical and evacuation expenses and losses caused by delayed baggage or theft.
Choose Safe Foods and Drinks
One of the more overlooked travel safety guidelines is food safety. Consuming contaminated food or drinks may induce a traveler’s diarrhea and other illnesses, potentially ruining your vacation.
Visitors visiting low- and middle-income nations are more vulnerable to risk. Meals that are served hot, as well as those that are dry and packaged, are typically safe to eat.
Seek Advice from Locals
A good travel safety measure is asking a local about safe and unsafe areas. It’s often the best way to receive reliable information about the neighborhoods.
Most inhabitants are friendly, and they will warn you if you enter potentially dangerous areas. Get a second opinion if someone you don’t know gives you advice, just in case they don’t know what they’re talking about and are simply trying to assist you.
Taxi drivers may be hit or miss when it comes to this issue. Some may be beneficial sources of information, while others may get you into trouble.
Don’t Show Your Valuables
This should be common sense when it comes to travel safety. Thieves will quickly know what they can take from you if they see you wearing expensive jewelry or carrying expensive electronics such as cameras, phones, and laptops.
You cannot put on these items in public throughout the day or be less noticeable with them. Hide valuable jewelry and equipment behind layers of clothes when necessary. Consider carefully what you will need for your trip, and leave items you will not need at home.
Avoid Oversharing with Strangers
One of the many benefits of traveling is widening one’s social circle and making new friends. But just because you’ve met someone doesn’t mean you have to tell them all you know about yourself immediately.
The response will depend on the situation’s circumstances and your personal feelings.
If someone you’ve just met asks you personal questions immediately, it’s a good sign that you shouldn’t give them too much personal information. Questions such as “Where you’re staying” or “What your Instagram account is” may seem unusual when asked within a few seconds of meeting someone or out of context.
Research Local Scams
This is a huge travel safety precaution that most never thinks of. Unfortunately, each place has its distinct disadvantage.
It might be anything, from a cab driver who overcharges you to someone who offers instructions but then begs for money. You should educate yourself about the prevalent fraud practices before heading there.
In addition, once you get to your location, inquire with the front desk staff about any recommendations they may have.
Make Copies of Your Documents
This travel safety rule is as old as travel itself, yet many overlook it. If your driver’s license or passport is missing or stolen, you should make two copies of each.
Bring one copy with you and keep it apart from the original, while the second copy should be placed with a close friend or family member. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is another free service the United States Government offers its citizens traveling outside the country.
Registration for the program may be conducted at the closest US embassy or consulate. This might be useful in an emergency, such as a lost or stolen passport.
Check the Weather
Rain is an inescapable part of life and travel; thus, preparing for possible situations such as lightning, hail, thunderstorms, and other severe weather conditions is critical by keeping an eye on the forecast and having appropriate gear. In addition, keep an eye on the weather at home to ensure the safety of your property.
Get Travel Locks for Your Bags
If you are going to leave your baggage out of sight or visible in public for any length of time and are just utilizing public transportation, making sure it is secured may dissuade any would-be robbers.
Locks can also secure lockers such as those found in hostels or gyms.
Act Less Like a Tourist
The more you seem like a local, the less likely criminals are to target you. You may fit in better with the neighborhood if you emulate the locals’ dress style, walk confidently, and hide your maps. If you’re using your phone to seek directions, look at it for a few seconds while walking.
In addition, before you leave the hotel, familiarize yourself with the city and your agenda. If you need to read instructions for an extended period, you may want to consider stepping inside a store or a café rather than staying outside.
Inform Credit Card Companies about the Travel Plan
It is important to notify your bank of the dates and places you will be traveling to since you may be visiting spots outside your usual spending patterns while you are away. Many financial institutions allow you to contact them using the online banking application.
This reduces the possibility that your bank might block your account due to what it thinks is fraudulent behavior on your behalf, putting you in a tough position. In addition, consider bringing a second credit card with you.
In Closing
Travel safety can be the difference between a great trip and a bad one. You can’t predict everything, but committing these travel safety tips to memory will give you a better advantage when you’re away from home.
