Top Safety Travel Tips for 2019
Taking time out from your hectic routine and discovering new places is a must for everyone. Who doesn’t like to have the excitement and thrill of a new experience? But after being in that mindset, sometimes people tend to forget some important things, e.g. safety.
Safety is always crucial whether you are at home, at work, in travel, or on a vacation. It is more crucial in the last case because, well, you are in a completely new location and you hardly know anything, anyone there, right? Even one small act of theft can ruin your vacation mood and disrupt your schedule; which is why you should always practice the following safety tips when setting out for a new adventure.
Researching before travel:
You are bound to feel jittery and some fear when you go to an unknown place. Take some time to research all the places you will visit. Learn the political situation, culture, travel modes, accommodations, rates of everything, etc. It is good if you also learn some important and commonly used sentences in their local language!
Travel Insurance is a must:
Even if you think it is not needed, just take it. It is good to have an extra level of safety and peace of mind for you. The insurance will also cover those aspects that you mostly will forget. You should always expect the unexpected and have a contingency plan ready for every situation.
Keep multiple copies of your documents:
In case one set gets lost or was in the bag which got stolen, you should readily possess another copy. Make more than two photocopies of your visa, passport, driver’s license, and other such documents. Store each set in different bags, also give a copy to your travel companion and take theirs. Keep one copy back at any relative or neighbor’s place and one digital copy on your mobile! Also, carry extra passport-sized photos of you, they can come in handy in emergencies.
Leave your wealth back home:
In no way we are advising you not to take any money or credit/debit cards, but only take what’s essential for the trip. Why wear that expensive watch or any jewelry on you? Thieves or criminals get attracted to such stuff so make do with a cheap watch, bag, etc.
Be careful on Social media:
Your safety is important, but is also of your home, right? We all have the urge to instantly update all our near and dear ones of our new experiences via Facebook, Instagram, etc. but the anti-social elements also get info about you from here, and they may target your empty home! You can always fill your social media after getting back home and rather focus on taking in the full experience and capturing memories of the new place.
Inform your bank of the trip:
The credit/debit cards that you will take along should be in working conditions in any place you go, or else they may be blocked thinking it to be suspicious activity. So inform your bank and other card providers in advance about your travels. Besides cards, also carry some cash with you because, in some places, cash still rules. Don’t keep all these cards and the cash in one place. Split them up in different luggage and on you so you will have something to fall back upon, in case of robbery.
Check out prices in advance:
Whether it’s public transport or a local eatery, they usually tend to overcharge the tourists. Hence, find out the average rate of travel or food and stick to it, if they don’t relent, you can always try another option.
Try to blend in and respect local customs:
Anti-social elements easily identify wandering tourists and target them specially. Try to behave like the locals, know the place you are going, the route, the surroundings, etc. and remember, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Respect the local culture and dress/behave accordingly, you don’t want to get in trouble in an alien place by hurting anyone’s sentiments.
Write emergency info and possess extra locks:
Always keep in your pocket and store in your mobile, the contact number of all local emergency services and also of your country’s embassy. In case of emergency or things going wrong, you can instantly ask for help. You should have spare locks, just in case of a failed robbery attempt. Lock all the important belongings together specially, apart from locking the luggage bags.
Keep all health essentials and First-aid kit:
Injuries can happen and you should tend to them immediately. Carry a first-aid kit containing all the necessary things. If you have some health issues or allergies, take the required medications, tablets, and other prescriptions handy. You don’t want to ruin an exciting trip with any health issue, do you? Maintain hygiene during your trip with quality food and water.
Don’t be over-friendly with strangers:
There could be people who will try to get friendly with you in a short time, which may look good; but in any case, don’t get personal with anyone, don’t reveal your travel plans, or give any sensitive or secret info. If they themselves are suggesting you to do anything e.g. taking this route, traveling with them, etc. crosscheck online or with others before taking the plunge. Always be aware of your surroundings and notice any suspicious activity.
