Staying safe while travelling can be pretty challenging especially when you are travelling solo with no one to have your back. You may have to learn it the hard way to keep yourself safe when travelling in places with high risk. There are many potential hassles that may put your safety at risk such as getting sick, scammed, robbed, injured, etc. Bad stuff happen but it’s still best to stay prepared.
Safety tips to consider for your trip
For the most part, the world is pretty safe to explore. Travelers can visit any destination safely but being prepared is still the best option. You never know when bad stuff will happen. But by being prepared, you already know how to handle the situation well and steer clear of more danger. Here are some travel safety tips to consider to keep you safe during your trip:
Learn about travel scams
Every travel destination may have different characteristics of scams in which travelers and tourists alike are most targeted. Hence, find information about your destination and its most common scam scenes. Keep in mind that professional con artists are ready to trick you smoothly. Don’t be complacent with the information you get, and stay alert.
Have a list of important contact ready.
Make sure you have important contacts in your phone in case you face emergencies. Have several police, ambulance, and embassy ready so you can contact time as soon as possible. Aside from saving the contact list in your phone, write it down on a piece of paper you can carry around anywhere.
Research travel warnings
Visit your state’s website to read more travel warnings. This way, you have general idea of what to expect from your destination. You know more specific problems in the country and plan strategies steer clear from them.
Lock up your valuables
Minimize the easy opportunities for theft. You may consider having a slash-proof bag or backpack. However, stay alerted even if you have the most advanced bag to carry around. Thieves always have their way. Try to keep you valuables in your sight and keep them close to your body. Or, consider using secure storage such as room safe, lockers, or locked storage area.
Consider buying travel insurance
Travel insurance can help cover any expenses you have to pay due to unexpected problems you experience during travel such as losing bag, getting sick, getting injured, etc. Travel insurance is necessity especially if you are frequent traveler.
Trust no one but yourself
You may ask a local for advice about directions to help navigate your way, or have a conversation with fellow travelers. However, trust no one but yourself especially when you travel solo. Don’t share too much with the people you just met.
Be rational
Stay safe by using your common sense and be rational. If you sense weirdness about a place, remove yourself immediately and find safer place. Also, do anything rationally. Don’t put yourself in danger just for a photo.