Wanderlust is the most exciting thing but without an experience could be scary. Be it a solo traveler or traveling in a group, we require safety precautions to be taken care of every time. Not only to protect ourselves but also our belongings. Let the joy of travel remain ecstatic and a success story.
There have been times when I traveled to different places just to realize I had not researched enough. For example, when I had been to Scotland, the heaven on earth made it hell for me, when there was zero network coverage on my mobile. I was traveling with my mother to this highest peak on the British Isles – Ben Nevis. After trekking up the snow clapped mountain, my mom got tired and I decided to go further until the peak (not realizing how farther it is or how much longer it might take me).
Left my mom near a huge rock on the mountain where she could relax and I gathered all my energy to move on. It took me about an hour to go up and come back to the same point to not find my mom where I left her. I was enough tensed to think about any other option than trying to call her. Unfortunately there wasn’t any network. I went back down to where we had started but still could not find her. Later I asked a guy at the ticket counter to help me place a call and finally got through. Undoubtedly, she was mad at me to have left her mid way without knowing how far the top was.
Here are some important safety travel tips that you should be aware of every time you travel.
1. Stay Connected:
Isn’t this the basic requirement we are all aware of, but do you know the place you are going to might not have enough mobile network coverage for your carrier? Research well in advance if your phone has roaming capabilities for the travel destination. If not, rent a phone with a local carrier when you arrive (usually there are shops to buy the SIM card in international airports). If you have a phone working, trust me you have a lifeline at a new place and could use GPS or online maps when required for driving too. There are various apps available today for offline maps as well, we recommend you to download the offline map of your destination in case of no internet.
2. Keep your family aware of your daily itinerary:
When you are ready to travel, let your parents or partner/ friends know your itinerary for the whole travel. Regularly let people know where you are and where you are heading to next even if there is a change in the plan. Especially when you are traveling alone into forest or wilderness, always let someone know when you are expected to return and the route you would be taking (you need to try and stick to the route shared). In case you are not back as expected, your contact should be able to search you or ask for help.
3. Research the destination thoroughly:
If you are traveling to a new destination or all alone, remember to plan your travel. Know which are the beautiful places and mark it to categories like “must see”, “if time permits”, “do not go”. Avoid the places you should not go and know the reason why. Check if there are medical centers in the city and mark them in a map. Check for the car rentals if you need beforehand. Look for if the hotel/ lodge booked by you is safe for the stay.
4. Carry emergency contact handy:
Always have a couple of family/friends contacts handy. Make a card with your contact too clearly mentioning who this item belongs to and who can be contacted in case of emergency. Which means, keep it in your wallet and your bag where one can find it easily. For example, if your bag is stolen, they could immediately give you a call or the emergency contact when found. Also in case of injury or accidents, it is very important that your family is contacted and informed for quick help. Remember you cannot call 911 everywhere, hence find out the local emergency numbers and save them with you on the speed dials. It is good to know about the nearest U.S. embassies or consulates.
5. Medicines and vaccinations:
It is very important to have physical check up prior to your trip to ensure you are healthy enough to travel abroad. Research on the various vaccinations you require for the countries you are traveling to. So make sure, depending on the destination, you make a list of vaccinations needed to immunize and get it prior to travel.
6. Keep the credit cards, money and passport in separate places
If you know why we say this then you are smart. Yes, keep some money and credit card in your wallet or purse. The additional money and cards should be kept separate and safe in a money pouch (which you will not be carrying every time). When you happen to for sightseeing, carry only the copy of passport and keep the original document of passport locked in your hotel safe. When you carry a bag while traveling or sightseeing, make sure to keep the card and the money separate in the front pockets and passport secure in another secure place other than the place where the money is kept. If in case a theft takes place, we do not want you to end up with no money or card or passport! Yes, we can imagine it will be a nightmare! This is one of the primary safety travel tips while traveling.
7. Electronic copy of your documents:
Always have a back up of the documents with you handy. Scan your documents – travel tickets, passport, travel insurance, visas, and itinerary and immunization record before you leave for your trip. Email it to your friend/ family in case of loss or damage, you know that you have a proof of your documents always handy via email on a smartphone or laptops.
8. Leave your jewelry back home:
We understand you have a beautiful set of jewelry but there is no need to flash your valuables in a new country. Try to keep it locked safe back home or in case if you have to carry it along, lock it in the safe at your hotel. Keep your cash separated from the other accessible items such that you do not show off your money while you are trying to pull out the cap from your bag. Be mindful of your surroundings and keep your smartphone secured when not in use rather than flaunting it around. Undoubtedly, the tourist places are prone to have thieves, especially in the trains.
9. Do not use credit cards in internet café or public WIFIs:
Most of the online fraudulent activities are popularly known to happen when people use their cards for a transaction online via public café WIFI. If you ever want to use your email to send some pictures to friends and family, beware of the cyber hacks. Not just your account is compromised but also the card details associated with the account.
10. Confirm visitors with the hotel staff:
Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Housekeeping!
Housekeeping who?
If you are in a hotel room and there is a knock, confirm from the help desk via a call if there is a housekeeping person sent up for you. This is important because there have been many criminal attack cases in the past known to pose as a hotel worker. It is okay to confirm it by calling the reception and seeking information.
11. Keep off stray animals
Stray dogs or cats could be cute but they usually come with a lot more than just cuteness. The animals carry all kinds of disease that could ruin your trip. Keep distance and maintain hygienic means to keep clean
12. First aid kit and emergency car kit
Always carry a first aid kit handy with you. Doesn’t need to be a bulky box but very basic items like a band-aid, sanitizer, antiseptic tube, and pain relieving spray, cotton balls, etc. Whether or not you are driving your own car or on a road trip on a rented car, make sure you have the emergency car kit handy to deal with any situation on road.
13. Travel insurance
Being properly insured is the basics of a travel agenda. Your health insurance might offer some international coverage, check with the firm. However, it is possible that it doesn’t. Thus, having a proper travel insurance safeguards not just your illness, injury or death but also your belongings.
