This blog post was updated on March 23, 2020.
There’s something magical about traveling. It can open up your mind, expose you to wonderful new experiences, and introduce you to extraordinary people. At the same time, travel isn’t all fun and games; when you’re exploring the world, there are inevitable dangers to avoid and pitfalls to deal with. That doesn’t mean you have to hand in your passport and call it a day.
We’ve got some super helpful tips that will make your travels safer. Be sure to take notes to ensure your next trip is fun, exciting — and most of all, safe!
Save Important Documents
You’ve got your passport and travel information handy, of course. Now, what will you do if anything happens to them? People worry excessively about having their personal documents stolen or misappropriated. While this can indeed happen, sometimes you simply misplace them. Instead of panicking, set up a contingency plan. Before you even begin your search for cheap international flights, make sure to scan or take pictures of all the documents you’ll need during your journey. Make sure to save the images to your smartphone — that way if you don’t have WiFi access, you’ll still have everything you need at your fingertips.
You may also enjoy: How to Stay Healthy While Traveling
Keep Your Health Info On Hand
Being sick is never fun, but it’s even worse when you’re traveling. But, what happens when the situation goes beyond a typical cold? That’s when it’s important to have all of your medical information handy and easy to access. There are plenty of great apps out there, such as CareZone, that will easily allow medical professionals to access the medical information they need to get you back on your feet. Pick the one that’s right for you, and spend some time filling it out as completely as possible. Don’t skimp on the details; in the case of real illness or some sort of medical emergency, this information could literally save your life.
Stash Some Cash
Never keep all of your valuables in one place, especially when you’re traveling. If worst comes to worst, you can always rely on your emergency cash stash to get you out of a sticky situation. Make sure you have at least $100 in the currency of the country you’re traveling to. Now the question becomes: where is the safest place to keep this emergency cash cache? Some prefer the safety of a fanny pack, while others insist that storing money in your shoe is the best option. Our take? Choose what works best for you. Just make sure your money is in a secure place that you can reach no matter what adventures may come your way.
Don’t Forget to Check In
If you’re traveling solo, it’s important to make sure that people back home know where you’re heading — and when you’ll be back. Send along your itinerary to a few friends or family members, and promise to check in at regular intervals. In the event that they don’t hear from you, provide them with a set of instructions on what to do. If it’s a minor issue (a misunderstanding, a dead phone, bad service), you can quickly put them at ease. If it turns out to be something more serious, your friends and family will know what to do to get you back home safe and sound.
Create A Travel Kit
Love being prepared for any situation? Create your very own travel kit to ensure you have everything you need no matter where your journey takes you. You can buy a small empty kit at the local pharmacy, and fill it with items tailor-made for your needs. From extra medication and medicine to bonus phone chargers and emergency cash, your travel kit should be small and light enough to take with you on a moment’s notice, while still containing the essentials for your travel survival.
Secure Your Hotel Room
Staying in a hotel for the duration of your adventures? Then you’ll want to make sure your room is a safe and secure place to return to after a long day of exploring. Try to get a room that’s not on the bottom floor to reduce the likelihood of a break-in. Double-check that you’ve locked the door behind you, and make sure to grab a card from the front desk on your way out. This way, if you get lost or in any sort of trouble, you know the address of where you’re staying and people you can reach out to.
Stay Alert
You can have all sorts of excitement and fun on your trip, but be sure to stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Trust your instincts; if someone rubs you the wrong way or you get a bad vibe from a certain location, head on your way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you end up in a scary situation, whether you’re asking locals or the authorities. Bottom line? Be smart, be prepared, and be alert: it will reduce your chances of danger, and keep you on track for having an unforgettable vacation.
Do you have any travel safety tips of your own? Share them with us in the comments section below!
