Safety Tips When Traveling

Whether traveling nationally, internationally or abroad, personal safety is an important consideration. Unfamiliar surroundings can make a person more vulnerable to mishaps and even the most adventurous of people can feel insecure or uncomfortable at times. Being prepared and taking simple precautions to protect you and family will make for a more enjoyable trip. There are three basic areas of safety to consider when traveling-personal safety, the safeguard of your identity and finances, and the safety of your family.

Statistically speaking, most travelers have nothing but safe and uneventful trips, with lost luggage or a forgotten item being their greatest concern. Nonetheless, certain precautions can be taken to ensure personal safety and avoid the slight risk of being a victim of crime. Personal safety is primarily a matter of self-awareness and an awareness of the environment around you. The following safety tips can help safeguard you when traveling away from home.

Avoid painting yourself as the prosperous tourist. Wearing expensive clothing, jewelry, and accessories can make you an easy target for would-be criminals. Given that you may already appear out of place which puts you at a disadvantage over the locals, being visibly better off than those around you can make you more vulnerable to theft. Consider this point when you pack for your trip and as you dress for departure. Leave unnecessary valuables at home and be sure to keep all other valuables, including passports, money, credit cards, travelers checks, and even medications, on your person at all times or locked in a safe in your hotel or on board your cruise ship.

When you do venture out in unfamiliar territory with cash, credit cards, and other personal valuables, keep them strapped securely to your body. Purses and handbags should be worn over the head and across the body and wallets should be secured within a pouch or money belt worn under clothing. By making yourself a more formidable target for pickpockets, you minimize your risk of incident. You might also consider venturing out with only what you’ll need for the day, rather than keeping it all with you.

Familiarize yourself with emergency situations and response procedures in your destination. Make sure you have the desk number of your hotel and the number for emergencies programmed into your cell phone or at least accessible on paper. If traveling in a foreign country, be sure you know how to reach your embassy or national security council. It’s also important to have any emergency numbers from home with you as well. It is a good idea to have your bank’s phone number as well as the number to report any lost or stolen credit cards in case of emergency. These safety measures ensure you know how to quickly and effectively respond to a bad situation, should one occur.

Before you leave on your trip, make copies of all your important identification information, traveler’s check serial numbers, travel itinerary and other identifying information and leave a copy with a close friend or family member. Pack additional copies of this information separately from the originals you carry. Covering all your bases can save you time and headaches should you lose or have the originals stolen.

When packing personal necessities, such as medication, that cannot easily be replaced, pack them in your carry-on bag if you plan to fly. If you wear eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aid devices, keep them with your medications. Contact lens and eyeglass wearers should pack an extra pair for emergencies. Carry your doctor and pharmacy phone numbers with your medications.

Traveling with children, especially small children, can be an added challenge. If you plan to fly, travel as lightly as possible and keep any personal items necessary for your children in your carry-on bag. Check with your hotel ahead of time about the availability of items such as cribs and car seats. Keep in mind that cribs or playpens provided by the hotel may not meet all safety standards so be sure to inspect it before allowing your child to sleep in it. If you will need a car seat or booster seat upon arrival, plan accordingly. Car seats for infants and children under 40 pounds that are FAA-approved can be used on airplanes but booster seats are not approved and will need to be checked as luggage.

Before departure, discuss with older children the appropriate behaviors and expectations for airport security, the plane ride, and hotel arrival. Consider tethers for toddlers and preschoolers that may easily get separated from you and teach older children what to do if they should become lost or separated. Involve children in the planning of your trip as much as possible so that they have a better idea of what to expect from the trip from start to finish.

A number of safety precautions are primarily based on common sense and good planning. If you have any doubts as to the safety and security of your trip, consult a travel agent or contact the Transportation Security Administration.

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