9 Painless & Powerful Ways to Travel Safer in Today’s World
Jul 04, 2024Summer travel is in full swing. Before you pack your bags take a few minutes to consider your safety.
1. Blend In
Try to dress like the locals. Leave your designer duds at home, and don't wear flashy jewelry You don't want to stand out and call attention to yourself as a tourist, Instead, you want to keep a low profile and be a chameleon in your surroundings.
2. Have an Emergency Plan
Know who to call and what to do in case of an emergency. Keep a short list of emergency contacts where you can easily access them, like on your phone. If you're traveling abroad, look up and memorize the phone number for 911. Also, know where the closest US embassy is (you can look that up here).
3. Bring a basic first-aid kit
Start with any medications you take regularly. Include allergy medicines, inhalers, and/or motion sickness drugs, if needed. Also, don't forget bandages for minor cuts, antiseptic wipes, and some type of over-the- counter pain medicine. This kit can help you avoid injury or treat minor injuries on the go.
4. Get short-term travel insurance
Make sure you get both trip insurance and travel medical insurance. While trip insurance can cover cancellations and lost or stolen property, travel medical insurance can cover medical needs and emergency care on your trip.
5. Make digital copies of all your important travel documents
Scan your ID, passport, travel itinerary, airline tickets, hotel confirmations, and other travel documents you'll need on your vacation. if anything happens to the physical versions of these items, your digital backups can verify who you are and help you get to where you need to be. That can help you avoid huge disruptions in a trip
6. Avoid solo travel
Whenever possible, don't travel alone. Vacation with a friend, a family member, or a group if you can. If you're on your own abroad, you can be a much easier target for unsavory characters. It can also be easier to get lost, get lonely, and make a wrong call when you're alone in a strange place. A travel companion can be another set of eyes and ears looking out for you. Plus, they may make your trip more fun!
7. Regularly check in with home
Call or check in with a friend or loved one back home every day, ideally around the same time, if possible. When you do, briefly share your upcoming plans, like where you're going, who you're going with, and what you're going to do. If you do this and anything goes wrong, it can be much easier to figure out where you are and get you help ASAP.
8. Stay sharp, alert, and aware
Keep your wits about you. Look around without looking like you're lost, such as by taking a moment to sit down and observe calmly. Pay attention to your surroundings, including who's around you, at all times. Don't drink too much alcohol. And trust your gut. If you get a weird feeling about somebody or a certain situation, trust your instincts.
9. Hide an "emergency" cash stash
Keep at least two stashes of money and credit cards when you travel. Carry one stash and hide the other in a separate, secure spot. That way. you'll have instant access to back-up funds if you're pickpocketed or you somehow lose the cash you're carrying.
