Travelling is a fun experience that should be kept just like that, fun.
Being in a foreign country or new city may pose dangers you may not be aware of. This calls for caution and being alert at all times. While you may feel safe in certain places, always have your guard up as you would back home.
There are many ways in which you can ensure that both you and the people you are travelling with are safe. For instance, the more you travel the more aware you become of some of the dangers that lurk out there.
To help you be on point here are some tips for precaution on how to be safe while travelling.
1. Do some research on where you are going
When travelling to a new location, it is important that you do some research prior to your journey. Find out whether there have been recent crimes against foreigners to give you an idea of what you might be getting yourself into. Also, find out if certain cities or towns in the country you intend to travel to are experiencing some instability and security troubles. This might save your life.
2. Be aware of your surroundings
If you are a professional travelling to high-risk areas for work purposes, ensure that you are aware of your surroundings. Make a point to find out the emergency service contacts and where the nearest hospital and police station are located. We often assume that 911 is the universal emergency contact line but that is not always the case.
3. Keep your family and friends updated
Your whereabouts should be made known to at least two people you are familiar with. This is especially essential for solo travellers because travelling alone can be quite risky. Keep your GPS and personal Wi-Fi active so that your family is aware of your movements.
4. Stick to groups
When travelling with colleagues or friends, it is better to walk in pairs or with more people rather than by yourself. This way, you are able to keep track of one another. It is easy for you to get lost or be taken advantage of if you are alone in a foreign place.
5. Do not draw a lot of attention
Avoid looking flashy when travelling to a foreign location. This is not the best time to bring out all your rings and designer bags. More often than not, thugs, kidnappers and muggers easily spot foreigners because they stand out in their dressing and with what they are carrying. Dressing down and carrying around small sums of money allow you to blend in with the locals and be less detectable to muggers.
6. Cybersecurity
Many people are not aware of methods on which online hackers use to get your information. It is easy for them to access your information when you make small mistakes like connecting to a public Wi-Fi network or even allowing someone to connect your device to their computers using USBs. Your emails, banking information and pictures become public instantly. On the same note, limit your online presence to a few people who you trust in order to secure your location information. Consider using a Virtual Private Network rather than public Wi-Fi to avoid some of these disasters.
7. Keep your important documents very close
Have your passport, credit cards, hotel receipts, insurance documents and other important documents in your hand luggage whenever you walk around. Have copies of these documents and keep backups on your phone for extra precaution. There have been many cases of lost passports that can turn your holiday into hell. You might end up being stranded in foreign countries or airports for months before you can finally find a way home.
8. Beware of frauds
It is easy for new friends you meet in foreign countries to befriend you and win your trust over. Some of them can easily lure you into crimes like drug trafficking. There have been many cases where tourist’s luggage have been laced with drugs for transportation only to be arrested at the airports. These people end up being imprisoned in foreign countries, never to see their families again. Avoid trusting people blindly.
9. Be vigilant
If you are a solo traveller, ensure that you are vigilant at all times. Avoid getting too drunk whether you are at a party or at a bar. This impairs your judgement and might put you at risk. Be vigilant also by trusting your instincts whenever you get the feeling that something is amiss. It is better to be safe than sorry.