How to stay safe while traveling and avoid possible dangers

Sylvia Paige

07/29/2022

Safety rules when traveling are simple enough, yet many fail to follow them. During trips and travels, people often become victims of thieves and robbers. So how to reduce such risks and keep yourself away from trouble? Today’s article contains advice on how to stay safe while traveling. Take these steps, and you won’t have anything to worry about!

1. Preparing

Before you travel, learn as much as you can about the country you are going to. This applies not only to attractions and hotels but also to important things that travelers usually do not have the patience for – security, exchange rates, the quality of water and food, and possible diseases. Knowing such information will help you plan your trip more carefully and avoid bad situations.

With an infinite variety of food, wine, towns, beaches, and over 300 days of sunshine each year, a great place to travel is Spain. Your Europe bucket list will not be complete without this country. Moreover, Spain is generally a safe country, so you can head there even on solo adventures. In fact, much preparation is not needed.

To start planning your Spain itinerary, you can get ideas and suggestions here.

However, if you are going to a more exotic place, find out in advance what vaccinations are required, and be sure to get them. For example, traveling to Australia, you may have to get some shots because of the different nature of the seasons compared to the rest of the world.

Still, it is well worth it. There is more to this country than words can describe. It is a huge Pacific Island with unique wildlife and incredible coastal views. It will take several months to get around the whole country, so you may have to pick and choose certain locations.

If you want to be extra prepared, you can always take some time before your trip to draw up an itinerary – this article will be a great help.

2. Be vigilant

3. Leave your jewelry at home

4. Keep an eye on your luggage

5. Technology

When it comes to travel and staying safe, technology is your best friend! There are many ways it can be useful for you. Install an app on your phone such as Antitheft Alarm, Android Remote Control, Find My iPhone, or similar. Not only will they help you know where your phone is right now, which is especially important if it has been stolen, but they can also scare off a thief with an alarm.

Alternatively, you can buy a Bluetooth beacon. It attaches to your bag, laptop, keys, and, using an app on your smartphone, signals if things move more than a certain distance from you.

If, despite all the precautions, the bad guys decide to rob you in a public place, do not panic and try to assess the situation carefully. If you have the option to run away, do so because it is unlikely that you will be pursued, especially in touristic places. If the robber looks inadequate, it may be better to part with the money. This is why you should always carry a wallet with a small amount of cash.

6. A hotel is not a fortress

You may have heard the famous expression – My home is my fortress. This applies to hotels too. When staying in a hostel, hotel, or even rental, use all precautions. Make sure all locks are in place and in working order, and do not mention your room number loudly when you are in public places.

Even if the hotel is thinking about security, there are always ways you can make the experience even safer. Always keep the doors and windows of your room closed. Try to give the impression that you are in your room even when you are actually away. For example, it’s a good idea to put a “Do Not Disturb” sign outside the door and keep blinds or curtains closed.

Use a safe deposit box at the hotel, so you do not keep valuables in your room. If possible, book hotel rooms on high floors, away from public areas, if you are afraid of street thieves.

7. Money and documents

If you are traveling outside your country, make copies of all your documents. Keep one set of copies with you (separate from the originals) and leave another set of copies at home.

Do not carry a lot of cash, especially in one pocket. It is better to pay with a bank card – at least if it is stolen, you can always call the bank and block cash withdrawals. Nevertheless, be careful and vigilant with all bank card transactions. Check the total amount of receipts and make sure your card is returned to you and not exchanged for someone else’s.

8. Take out travel insurance

While we all want our travels to be a positive experience, sometimes the unexpected happens, such as lost luggage, delayed flights, or health problems. Travel insurance is a good way to avoid unpleasant surprises and unnecessary stress.

Depending on the type of policy and company you select, you may be reimbursed for many different things such as medical expenses, transport costs, unexpected delays, etc. To choose the right insurance policy for you, consider several options and their suitability for your requirements.

9. Getting around

The main rule for everyone traveling by car is not to stop in the middle of nowhere. If you are thinking of saving money on a hotel and snoozing right there on the seat, do not park on the side of the road or, worse, drive into a field – no one will notice if something happens.

Choose parking lots, places near petrol stations or police checkpoints. The best option is to stay in campings.

Always keep your car locked, even if you are leaving for a short time, and keep valuables in the boot or with you. The worst thing you can do is leave backpacks, cameras, or laptops all over the car. Do not be surprised if local hooligans rudely break into your vehicle or smash a window and steal your belongings.

Wish to have an adventure? Before you decide to hitchhike, make sure you know where you are going. For example, hitchhiking is not popular in the Land of Pasta, so you should always have a plan on what to do in case you stop and encounter the traffic police. If Italy is exactly what you have in mind as a travel destination, this itinerary could be useful for planning your trip.

Often described as a country in the shape of a boot, rich in culture, history, food, wine, lakes, beaches, mountains, and ancient ruins, it is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

10. Food

Food quality is a pressing issue in many countries. As you are a one-off customer and unlikely to return to a particular place again, eat where there are lots of locals, a sure sign of a good reputation and quality of food.

Water is a separate story. Unfortunately, one of the easiest ways to get an infection is by simply drinking it. Therefore, you should only buy bottled water and check that it is well sealed before drinking.

Never eat where there is no toilet or running water. Apart from the understandable inconvenience, this can be a much bigger problem – dishes are unlikely to be washed in such a place but wiped or rinsed in a bucket. Usually – in the same water throughout the day.