Travel safety should always be top of mind for all travelers, whether for work or leisure purposes. Use these tips to stay safe when on the road.
Staying safe requires projecting an air of confidence around you; thieves prefer preying upon those who appear uncertain or disoriented. Being informed about local culture and climate will also go a long way toward keeping you secure.
Do Your Research
Conducting research prior to traveling can help ensure a more safe experience. Make sure you review travel warnings, safe travel destinations, as well as health and safety advisories specific to the region or country you are visiting, which may provide insights into any potential dangers on your trip.
By researching your destination thoroughly, it can also help to inform yourself of any scams or issues that may be prevalent there. Furthermore, this research can inform decisions such as choosing safe food and drinks options.
Although no matter how hard we try, traveling always entails risks that cannot be entirely avoided. By being street smart and taking necessary precautions, travelers can stay safe while still making memories to last a lifetime.
Be Mindful of Your Belongings
Maintaining close and secure storage can help protect you against losing precious items that could endanger your trip.
Wear less conspicuous clothing while traveling, particularly in crowded areas where thieves may target tourists more easily. Staying at smaller marquee hotels may also help keep personal items safe from potential thieves.
Avoid posting updates about your travels online in order to deter criminals. Be sure to back up photos and documents prior to leaving, using password protection where applicable.
Be Wary of the People You Meet
Travelers are prime targets for thieves, since they stand out among crowded places and carry valuables like cameras and cash. This can be particularly true in developing countries; to protect oneself it’s wise for travelers to maintain a low profile, stay vigilant against people eager to talk with them, and keep all personal belongings within sight at all times.
There are always unavoidable circumstances beyond anyone’s control; even with all precautions taken to protect themselves when traveling abroad, unexpected situations can arise that threaten their wellbeing and that’s why having travel insurance provides peace of mind wherever your travels may lead you.
Be Safe Around Animals
Animals may seem adorable and harmless, but they can actually carry deadly bacteria like rabies that could inflict deadly illness on people. Rodents have also been known to spread plague, leptospirosis and Hantavirus infection through urine, feces, fleas or fleas while bats may spread histoplasmosis and Ebola viruses through bites and scratches from these animals.
Travelers visiting areas where rabies is prevalent should ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccination, and be vigilant about washing any bites or scratches immediately with soap and water.
Be Safe During Water Activities
Drowning is an ever-present risk when traveling, even for those familiar with water safety. To combat this threat, make sure you swim with someone or in supervised areas and practice smart water behavior such as not texting while swimming or using cards in the water.
When caught in a rip current, remain calm and swim parallel to shore rather than trying to fight against it. Doing so could easily tire you out or even drown you if fighting is unsuccessful.
Be sure to bring along a travel health kit filled with prescription and over-the-counter medications (enough for the entire trip), insect repellent, sunscreen, aloe vera gel, water disinfection tablets and your emergency contact info for best results. For more information, see Getting Health Care While Travelling.
Be Safe Using Public Transportation
Utilizing public transportation can be an essential element of travel, but it is vitally important that users remain safe when doing so. You should avoid flashing large sums of cash or valuables in plain view and always have exact change available for bus or train fare payments. Flashy jewelry and expensive devices can attract thieves.
Avoid drifting off while riding a bus or train – doing so could result in missing your stop, being in the way of people entering or exiting, and possibly having something stolen from you. Stay vigilant at all times, if something looks amiss – speak up!
Know Your Rights
No matter if you are an experienced traveler or embarking on your first ever vacation, safety should always be top of mind. By following these tips, you can better protect yourself against potential dangers as well as keep those back home safe!
At this stage of your travel plans, it is also vital that you share this information with someone and receive any necessary vaccinations prior to leaving home. We highly suggest enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to keep family and friends updated if something were to occur during your journey – but do remain calm throughout any potentially stressful situations!