Traveling is an exciting activity for many people but sometimes travelers face unexpected events. This is why it is important to take precautions before you leave. Besides, every place you visit has its own rules that allow you to stay safe. Hence, before you start your adventure, make sure you gather as much information as you can. Here are some key factors that you should consider.
- Get health insurance
When you travel you get exposed to more risks than usual. That might be due to new activities and the sanitary conditions of the place you visit. If something wrong happens to you when you are in a foreign country, you won’t have a support system. That implies that you won´t have close relatives, friends, and your condition as a citizen of your country. Moreover, you might have found enough money to travel. But medical expenses can surpass your financial capacity in case you have an accident. Therefore, getting international health insurance is the best way to guarantee proper medical attention.
- Have a list of important phone numbers
During your trip, you might go through an emergency. You can be robbed, assaulted, and so on. In any case, you will need some attention. But you might need attention to solve many things about your airplane ticket, hotel reservations, guided tours, excursions, and many other things. All of them have contact numbers you can use in case you need it. So, to speed up the solution of any situation, gather all the phone numbers in one place and speed up any solution. That includes contact phone numbers of the embassy or diplomatic office of your country or the country you are visiting.
- Keep copies of important documents
There are many ways to lose your documents. You can be robbed but you can also lose them in other circumstances. And documents are crucial to identify yourself in any case. Therefore, keeping copies of them is very important. That includes passport, ID, international driver permit, and insurance card. “As well as needing an International Driving Permit(IDP) to rent a car, you will also be asked to produce it if you have any interaction with the traffic police, for example, if you are involved in an accident or you are subject to a random stop or check.” clarify International Drivers Association. Some documents like the passport or the international driving permit might include several pages. In such cases, try to get copies of them all. Also, as soon as you arrive at your destination, get copies of your immigration card, hotel confirmations, and any other document you obtain while you are traveling. Nowadays, it is very easy to get copies by taking pictures or getting PDF files in your email or your personal account in the cloud.
- Keep in touch with friends and relatives
This is particularly important when you travel for long periods or if you take an excursion. That allows your closest friends and relatives to keep track of what you are doing. In case you disappear, they will notice and can get the help you to get back. Due to the advance of communications, it is very easy to make phone calls and send emails. Therefore, it doesn’t take too much effort or time to follow this. If you are going to remote or dangerous places, inform them in advance. Also, provide them with some contact numbers they can use if something happens.
- Follow the rules
Every country has different rules regarding many aspects of life. When you travel you are required to follow many of them. So, you must get well-informed about the rules you have to follow. That includes your behavior in public places, differences between men and women, religion, clothes, the validity of an international permit to drive, and places you are allowed to visit. Also, consider that rules may come in many different ways. This is to say, that you should also ask the locals about traditions that you won’t find informal texts.
- Perform a research
You need to understand your destination well before you arrive at the place. You can read traveler reviews and then consult with the locals for knowing the safe neighborhoods, local crime rate, and good places to stay. You may verify all the info on the state department’s official website that details country-wise updates and you may also enroll in smart traveler programs. Another significant thing to know regarding travel security is, knowing who to call at the time of emergency. Try to get the contact info of the nearest police station, consulate or embassy, and other important emergency departments.
- Try not to draw attention
Keep in mind that people that appear as if they are from out of the city are particularly vulnerable to attackers. Therefore, try and blend in with the scenario as much as possible. Select inconspicuous clothes that will not attract attention. Try to be discreet while looking at maps and approach other people carefully in case you have to ask them directions. You may also consider investing in protective gear and clothing that will make things difficult for a pickpocket to steal money and your other personal items.
- Safeguard the hotel room
Even when your hotel has a good deal of security measures working for them there are certain steps you need to take to make your hotel room a safe place. You must lock and deadbolt your entrance door and keep the windows shut. For this purpose, you may buy a jammer. It is a portable device that slips under the door to provide another level of protection. Try to provide the casual onlookers the impression that you are still in your room even though you are not and are away somewhere. You may have a Do Not Disturb sign placed on the outside of your hotel door and you may keep your windows and blinds closed. Never allow any strangers inside your room even when they claim to be working for the hotel. You can call the front desk to verify if someone from the counter ordered a staff member to visit your room for some reason.
- Be aware of the surroundings
Always be attuned to your surroundings. Never let your guard down for snapping a perfect picture that may be used for your social media accounts. Make sure that you have an eye on your personal belongings at all times. Use your good judgment while communicating with strangers. One of the greatest joys of traveling is that it provides opportunities to meet new people and maybe learn new things about their culture. However, if someone close to you is acting oddly or if you are feeling uncomfortable in someone’s company it is a better idea to leave the place immediately.
Final words
Traveling can be a fantastic experience if you take proper measures to keep yourself safe. Fortunately, you can obtain a lot of information before you travel. And that includes all the documents that allow you to enjoy your travel safely. However, keep in mind that although these tips will help you in traveling safely, there is always the possibility of the unexpected. No matter how many precautions you take it may happen therefore keep yourself protected with insurance. When you can gather a valid passport, an international permit, and health insurance, you get free to move almost everywhere. And, when you follow the rules and keep your relatives informed about your moves, you get your back covered.
