Traveling abroad is an exciting opportunity. However, it can also be a dangerous one if you don’t take proper precautions. You want to get through your travel experience safely so that you can form positive, life-long memories. Below, we’ll offer a few strategies you can use to keep yourself safe while you’re abroad.
Prepare Ahead of Time
The best thing you can do to keep yourself safe while traveling is to prepare ahead of time. Information like the location of the nearest hospitals, bad areas to avoid, the public transit schedules, and more will allow you to make smarter decisions when you arrive. Spend some time researching the area, including tips from previous travelers and locals. Doing some travel preparation will not only help to keep you safe but ultimately lead to a more relaxing vacation.
Make Use of New Technologies
New technologies continue to emerge that are designed to help keep people safe. For example, you can now download translation apps on your phone so that you can communicate with locals in the event of an emergency. It wasn’t that long ago that you had to rely on body language and the few phrases you picked up in a guidebook to assist you. Now, you can translate your needs in just a matter of seconds and get the necessary help in a timely manner.
There are plenty of other examples of useful travel apps. For instance, there’s the SaferWatch app, which recently connected music festival attendees with local police, allowing users to quickly send photos or videos of suspicious behavior. Download a few travel safety apps onto your phone and test them out before you go so that you know how they work in the event of an emergency.
Purchase Safety Gear
Before you set out, buy a few items specifically to help keep you and your belongings safe while traveling. For example, if you plan on backpacking around a country, getting a lock for your bag would be a good investment. You could also get a GPS tracker for inside the bag in the event it’s stolen or lost.
You may also wish to purchase some gear for personal safety. Pepper spray and whistles are common safety purchases if you get harassed while you’re out. Just be sure to look up the local laws regarding self-defense items and ensure you’re allowed to bring them on the plane if you’re flying.
Stay Connected with Friends and Family
As you’re traveling, it’s a good idea to stay in touch with family and friends back home. Let people know when you arrive at your destination and when you’re changing locations. You can also share your location with other users on most smartphones through either Apple or Google Maps. This way, should an accident or some other incident occur, someone will know your last location to alert the local authorities.
Try to Blend In
It’s an unfortunate fact that many tourists are targeted while traveling. As you’re abroad, do your best to blend into your local surroundings so that it isn’t obvious you’re from out of town. One way to do this is by dressing according to the local fashions rather than your own. Also, try to avoid looking like you’re lost and instead pretend like you know the area well. Doing small things like this can help you blend in and avoid unwanted attention.
Contact the Nearby Embassy
When you travel to another country, it’s a good idea to let your embassy know. Contact your local embassy in that area, informing them that you’ve arrived in the country and how long you plan to stay. This way, if there is an emergency in that country while you’re there, the embassy knows to alert you and can assist you with returning home.
Invest in Travel Insurance
Investing in travel insurance is a great way to protect yourself financially. Travel insurance can cover costs if someone steals your belongings or if you need to cancel plans due to an injury. What’s covered specifically will depend on the insurance provider you choose and the plan you select. Browse through some options and pick a plan that works for you. Investing in travel insurance may make your trip a little more expensive, but if the time comes that you need it, you’ll be glad you purchased it.
Trust Your Instincts
Finally, trust your instincts. If you’re traveling somewhere and something doesn’t feel right, even if you can’t explain why, work to remove yourself from that situation as soon as possible or contact local authorities. You’re much better off playing it safe or being mistaken than ignoring your instincts and finding yourself in trouble.
