You may discover a whole new world through traveling. You can see the sights, taste the food, meet new people and experience unique landscapes. For all of its wonderful qualities, travel presents some dangers too. There are smart ways that you can beat those dangers with simple tactics and precautions. The following 25 travel tips that will keep you safe, happy and healthy on your adventures.
1. Always carry your wallet in the front pocket
It is not recommended to keep your wallet in your rear pocket. Having a wallet in your back pocket makes you an easier and more appealing target for a pickpocket.
Your wallet is the worst thing to lose when traveling. In certain cases, the monetary loss may be substantial. In addition, it increases the risk of identity theft.
If you keep your wallet in your front pocket, it will be harder for someone to pickpocket you. To retrieve your wallet out of a front pocket, someone would need to exert far more effort.
2. Try to Avoid Keeping Money in the Same Places. Distribute your Cash in 2 or 3 different places.
When traveling, it’s a good idea to split up your cash and credit cards across many different secure spots. Storing all your cash in one location leaves you vulnerable to theft, which may quickly wipe you out.
For incidental expenses like meals, mementos, and admission to sights, it’s a good idea to have a wide range of smaller notes and coins on hand.
Think about investing in a secure bag. Features such as locking zippers, slash-proof fabric, and steel cable-reinforced shoulder straps make these bags ideal for travel.
3. Update friends and family your location every 2 to 3 hours.
It’s always a good idea to let people back home know where you’re going, whether it’s for an overnight trip or a month-long trip across the world. Send your travel plans ahead of time to a few reliable individuals so they can maintain eyes on you. Maintain constant communication with your connections to reassure them you are safe and sound.
4. Hotel Safeguard.
Even if the hotel has top-notch safety features, you may take further precautions to protect your belongings. Always use the deadbolt and make sure the windows are closed. You may add still another line of defense by purchasing a jammer, a small gadget that can be slid under the door.
Place the Do Not Disturb sign outside your door and shut the blinds or windows to create the idea that you are in your room at all times.
Do not allow anybody into your room who is not a registered guest, even someone claiming to be hotel staff. You may always phone the front desk to see whether someone has been sent to your room by the hotel.
5. Download offline maps on your phone.
To avoid getting lost when exploring a new area, it’s smart to have a map with you. More specifically, when there is little to no mobile coverage and you need to find your way. To this end, offline maps become indispensable. Even if your cell phone connection is spotty, having access to offline maps is essential if you plan on doing any type of traveling.
6. Be aware of public internet access.
Don’t allow the ease of access to the Internet impair your judgment. Establishing a virtual private network (VPN) can enable you to browse the Internet safely when traveling if you do need wireless Internet connectivity.
7. Have a copy of your ID on you and leave photocopies of your passport with people at home.
Keep an extra copy of your passport, driver’s license, or other forms of identification on hand at all times. Scanning these papers will allow you to save them digitally, and you should print off several copies for safekeeping. That way, if you suddenly need to return home, you won’t have to scramble to obtain the appropriate paperwork.
Also, send a copy to your family and friends as well. In the event of an emergency, it will be much simpler for them to help you or the police.
8. Print out the name and address of the place you’re staying
Make sure your loved ones have your hotel’s name, address and phone number in addition to your host’s name and address. This will be particularly helpful if you are traveling to a country where the locals do not speak your native tongue.
9. When a stranger approaches you on the street and requests or offers you anything, smile, shake your head, and go.
It’s best to smile, shake your head, and walk away from those who approach you on the street and beg for or give you anything. Unfortunately, helping out here will simply attract more people, making you a target.
10. Take a picture of your luggage.
Before placing your luggage on the carousel during check-in, it’s a good idea to snap a photo of the bag and its contents. If your baggage has been misplaced, either on a different flight or left behind at the airport, this should assist airline employees to find them.
If you need to show the baggage claim worker a photo of your luggage, have one readily available and make it a favorite on your phone.
Note that you may need to submit receipts for compensation if your baggage is lost for good, so if you are carrying anything of value, it is advisable to have things tucked away in a different location. Keep the original receipt and place a copy of it between the bag’s inner and the outside to protect your investment.
11. Carry a power bank charger with you wherever you go.
When you can’t find an available electrical outlet, a portable phone charger comes in handy. Whether you’re going on a lengthy road trip or a camping trip, a portable charger can ensure that you never lose power or signal.
12. Carry a limited amount of cash and credit cards on you.
Carrying some local currency with you at all times is a must while traveling, and using an ATM in a foreign country is typically the best and most convenient option. Taxis and public buses, for example, often only accept the money of the country where they are located.
Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly in larger cities; however, you should verify any additional costs, such as those associated with overseas transactions or currency conversions, with your credit card provider.
As a bonus, using plastic reduces the amount of cash you have to carry, easing the blow of a stolen or misplaced wallet. Most cities have pickpockets, and they are skilled at spotting foreign visitors.
13. Carry an extension cord
It’s important to make sure all of your electronics are fully charged before leaving on a vacation. However, juggling the power needs of various gadgets while on the road may be a hassle. To remedy this, just use an extra-long extension cord.
14. Call your credit or debit card company before you go on travel.
Companies that accept credit cards are always on high alert for possible fraud. When a California resident uses their credit card to make a transaction in London, the credit card company may raise red flags. If it stops a thief from using your stolen credit card, that is a positive thing. When visiting a restaurant, it’s not ideal if your credit card is declined. Your vacation might suffer significantly if a transaction is questioned or rejected.
Making a travel announcement is simple. To acquire instructions, just go to the website of your credit card provider. On the websites or mobile apps of several card issuers, you may put up a notice. Others want you to give them a call to let them know.
15. Keep a pen in you purse, sling or wallet.
Having a pen on hand is always useful, but it is particularly important to do so while traveling internationally and filling out immigration and customs procedures.
16. Don’t leave your suitcase on the floor.
Since bed bugs are often found in mattresses, box springs, furniture crevices, and upholstery, travelers should avoid setting their bags down on these surfaces and the bed upon arrival.
According to Dr. Campbell, place your bags in the bathtub while you inspect the room for bed bugs, or keep them there for the duration of your stay.
17. Buy insect spray.
When visiting areas with a high risk of mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika, malaria, or Dengue fever, it is crucial to bring along insect repellant.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that vacationers check the label of their insect repellent to ensure that the active component is DEET, which is one of the most effective chemicals for warding off mosquito and tick bites. Also, it’s one of the most widely used components in the world.
18. Wear sunglasses.
Sunglasses are highly recommended. When you visit a new area, you naturally want to look about a lot. Some individuals have the uncanny ability to identify foreigners just by looking at them. When you cover your eyes, you seem less vulnerable and more confident, making you less of a target for criminals who prey on the lost and bewildered.
19. Dress conservatively.
One of the most important things to keep in mind while traveling to more conservative nations is safety, and one way to be safe is to look like if you belong there. Putting on some of your regular attire, such cutoff shorts and tank tops, may seem harmless at first. However, in more traditional nations, wearing such clothes may cause you to be looked at with suspicion, fear, and even disdain.
20. Carry at least minimum 1 pair of shirt/t-shirt, trousers and socks each. It helps in case your luggage got misplaced or lost.
It’s important to prepare for the possibility of a flight cancellation or delay. Bring an extra set of clothing and any other necessities for the first few days in your carry-on bag.
21. Never buy black luggage bags
You should never buy a plain black luggage bags. Finding your suitcase in a sea of black bags at the baggage claim will be a major hassle. It’s recommended that you get a bag that is a bright green color and has an orange tag or anything else that stands out.
Stay Safe and Happy Travels!
