Traveling to a new place can be exhilarating and scary at the same time. That’s because you’re vulnerable to sickness, mugging, harassment, accidental injuries, getting lost, or being conned in a foreign place. You just never know who you’ll run into at an airport, on public transport or when just walking around. According to a travel enthusiast, Jennifer Bracey, you need to be more alert than ever before when going to a new country because you never know when you will become a victim. She lists these five safety tips to stay safe from theft, scams, and other common safety concerns when traveling.
1. Conduct Thorough Research on Where You’re Going
Take time to research the location you’re traveling to, whether alone or with friends. You need to know basic information like the local emergency hotlines in the country. Remember, not every country uses 911, notes Jennifer Bracey, who also recommends learning about the nearest U.S embassy and saving the addresses and phone numbers in case you need them. Check the popular scams in the area you’re traveling to, as every country is different. Scams can be as unique as using children to play on your sympathy by lying about directions. Knowing all these allows you to prepare thoroughly and travel cautiously.
2. Share Your Itinerary With a Friend or Family Member and Stay in Touch
Let your family and friends know exactly where you will be and what you will do every day. Let them know when you’ll be calling so they can reach out for help in case you don’t get in touch. If you change your mind in between your travel plans, let someone know. Jennifer Bracey recommends getting a separate working remote phone that you can use to call your family back home in case things don’t go as planned.
3. Beware of Your Surroundings
Take mental notes about anything and everything around you. Watch your luggage, your hotel room, and everywhere you go. If something seems off, trust your instincts, investigate or leave, depending on your suspicion. If you’re having difficulty blending in certain places, change your destination and move somewhere else. Don’t risk it.
Remember blending in is also about dressing and behaving like the locals to avoid attracting attention. Avoid stopping abruptly in the middle of busy streets to take pictures. If you’re lost, don’t make it look obvious. According to Jennifer Bracey, offenders look for people who seem disengaged or distracted from their surroundings as potential targets. Most of them can detect a foreigner in a few seconds.
4. Avoid Hiding Valuables in Common Places
Apart from taking the usual measures to keep your valuables safe, such as investing in high-quality bags and locking your hotel room door, make sure you’re smart about where you hide them. Ask yourself where a thief may look first for valuables, and avoid keeping your items there. Carefully select your hiding spots, and be sure to distribute them. For instance, if you have several pieces of jewelry, don’t put all of them in one hiding spot, which can make things easier for thieves.
5. Be Smart About Money
Avoid keeping all your money in one place. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash when you travel to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. Instead, open an account with an international credit card or bank and use local ATMs to withdraw money. If you have to travel with large amounts of money, keep it in your hotel and only carry what you need for the day. Lastly, hide your credit cards and cash in different hiding spots.