If you are going abroad for the very first time, then you may feel like the whole experience is daunting. You may also feel like there’s not much that you can do to put your mind at ease either. That being said, if you follow this guide, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to keep yourself safe regardless of where in the world you are travelling.
Take out Insurance
This may seem like a no brainer to say the least, but you would be surprised at how many people get caught up with not taking out travel insurance. If you do not have it already then you certainly need it. If you don’t then you may find that you are not covered against things like lost baggage or even cancelled flights. If you take out cover then you won’t have to worry about anything happening and you may even find that it gives you the peace of mind you need to make the most out of your trip. If you don’t think that you need to take out insurance because you don’t think the company will pay out anyway, then you should know that there are insurance claim attorneys out there who can help you with that.
Don’t Take too many Electronics
Another thing that you need to do is make sure that you do not take too many electronics with you. If you are tech-savvy, then you may be tempted to take every camera accessory with you, so that you can get some good snaps on your vacation. This is understandable but less is really more when you are going on vacation. You don’t need to take a huge camera with you on every single excursion you go on and you probably won’t be working from your laptop to edit them anyway. You can take some awesome photos on your phone if you want, and you may even find that you can email them to yourself if you fill up your storage. Lugging around electronics will slow you down and it will also make you a very obvious target when it comes to thieves. Keep your electronics locked in your hotel room, minus your phone, or leave them at home. If you do this, then you can be sure to stay safe.
Keep your Head Up
It’s a good idea for you to walk like you know where you are going. It is a well-known fact that you are far less likely to be approached if you are fast and if you are alert. One alternative to staring at your phone’s map when navigating would be for you to use earbuds instead. You can then listen to the voice as it guides you. The great thing about doing this is that you won’t be advertising your phone as much and you may find that it makes you much more aware of your surroundings as well.
Be Cautious
Nobody is telling you not to go on a date when you are out travelling, but you do have to be careful. Advertising that you are on a date, or interested in dating will make you more of a target for criminals who look for ways to get close to people. Make sure that you watch your drink and also watch the bartender as they make your drink too. If you are in a high-class establishment then you won’t have to worry about this as much, but if you have nipped into a bar and you don’t know much about your location, then it doesn’t hurt to be aware.
Download a Safety Application
If you are travelling solo, then at some point you may find yourself wandering around a city that is just not familiar to you. Family and friends can easily keep an eye on you from a distance though if you have the right application. Some of the best apps include Uber and BSafe. With Uber, you can avoid public transport and you know that you can check the review of the driver who is going to be picking you up. You also know that you can be taken right to your destination too, which is a major benefit. With BSafe, your friends or your family will have to download it as well but the great thing about it is that they can see your location. You can also have them virtually “follow” you as you get to your destination and if you feel panicked then you can send them an SOS message. They might not be able to come to your rescue, but they can inform the police on your behalf.
Be Aware of your Money
It is always a good idea for you to keep a small amount of cash on your person. You also need to keep a copy of the front and the back of your credit card, along with your passport and your ID. Notifying your bank that you are travelling is also very important so that they don’t freeze your cards when they see you making an overseas transaction.
Dress Well
If you can avoid standing out, then you certainly should. Try and do some research if you can and take the time to find out what the locals wear. What you might wear in the US might be different to what you should wear if you are travelling to an eastern country. If you can, dress more on the inconspicuous side, as you will be far less likely to be targeted by predators.
Never Let People Distract You
Pickpocketing is a major issue abroad. It really does happen all the time, and it happens more in tourist hotspots. The innocent woman who is trying to get you to sign something may well be trying to catch you off-guard and they may be trying to swipe your wallet too. If anyone approaches you, take note of your surroundings and find out if they are trying to divert your attention. If you can do this, you can be sure to stay safer.
