Top 12 Travel Safety Tips That Will Prepare You For A Safe And Successful Trip

No matter where your journey takes you, it is important to be vigilant about your personal safety. It could be visiting friends out of town, driving to the beach, or flying to a foreign country.

One of the most popular times to travel is during vacations, when many people travel to visit family and friends. The roads are full of cars and the airports are full of passengers. Take enough time to get to your destination and try to be patient with other drivers and the airline. Everyone wants to have a safe day, but the holidays can be a stressful time for many people. Be aware of this fact and don’t be the catalyst that makes someone angry or lashing out.

The following are 12 travel safety tips to help you stay safe!

1. Do your research and read about any type of travel restrictions that may exist in the place you plan to go. Be on the lookout for any travel alerts or travel warnings related to the region or country you want to visit. Consult with the US Department of State to see if there is anything you need to be aware of. You should also find and obtain the contact information for the United States Embassy or the United States Consulate in the country or region you are visiting. Also, it is a good idea to check with your local emergency management agency and the American Red Cross about the likelihood of different emergencies that could occur in your local area or in the areas to which you travel frequently.
2. When traveling to other countries, be aware that some may have comfortable personal space distances defined differently than in your home country. Research this before you travel so that you do not make a simple gesture or physical contact that has a very different meaning to the people of the country you are traveling to.
3. Depending on where you go and the time of year is something else to consider. The weather can cause a variety of safety concerns when you walk, swim, or bike in the summer or just walk when conditions become slippery and slippery from rain, snow, or ice. Allow extra time to get to your destination.
4. Take your time and learn the area so that you can feel comfortable with where you are traveling and the surroundings. Look for it on maps (Google Earth gold Google maps It’s great for this!) And look around you. Observe naturally occurring landforms like rivers, forests, and mountains. Also be aware of where man-made structures are located, such as major roads, shopping malls, and apartment complexes. It is important to become familiar with the area in which you are traveling. This way, you will know where there are both natural and man-made barriers that could be important in the event of a natural disaster or act of terrorism nearby.
5. You will not be just walking. You will likely use other forms of transportation as well, such as cars, trains, and boats. Each presents a unique set of security challenges. Keep your eyes in front of you and watch out for other traffic, on the road or in the water. There are a lot of distracted drivers, don’t assume they see you. Be vigilant so as not to hurt yourself. Beware of hazards no matter where you are.
6. You should be aware of any specific health problems that may exist in the country you are visiting. Some may require you to receive special vaccinations before you are allowed to enter the country. This means that you may be exposed to threats to your health that do not exist in your home country. If you take any medication and are traveling with it, obtain a note from your doctor stating what the medication is, the dosage, the length of the prescription, and what it is for. Keep this with you and with the medicine at all times. Some drugs may not be legal in the country you are visiting, so do the smart thing and plan ahead.
7. Another area you want to look at is health insurance coverage. Many national insurance plans cannot be used abroad, requiring the purchase of travel medical insurance. Having it can be a literal lifesaver in case you have to receive medical treatment abroad. It can also be helpful if you need to be medically evacuated back to the United States. The price of this coverage is modest, but it could prove to be a must-have if you need it. Plan ahead so if you need coverage, you get it! It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
8. Don’t assume that buildings in other countries have fire alarms, fire escapes, or fire departments that are as capable as those you are used to. Some may be better, but some may be worse or nonexistent. Familiarize yourself with this aspect when traveling abroad and know your exits and evacuation routes.
9. Remember that you are most vulnerable when traveling outside of your own territory, wherever you are. Once you leave your comfort zone and have to deal with new cultures and ways of doing things, you find yourself at a distinct disadvantage to those who live and work in the area. Take the time to learn local customs so you don’t find yourself in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation that could have been avoided if you had understood more clearly what was happening.
10. Be more mindful at night and stay in well-lit, populated areas when traveling. Avoid alleys, dark streets, areas with poor visibility, and places where someone may hide.
11. Make sure you have a valid passport and obtain any visas you may need when traveling. Make copies of all travel documents, including your passport and visas, and keep them in a safe place, separate from the original documents.
12. Know the equivalent of 911 in any country you visit and learn to say “help me” in the language of the country you are traveling to.

These traveler safety tips are a good way to start your trip. Stay alert and more aware than ever when in unfamiliar surroundings and especially when leaving your home country. Research things ahead of time and make prudent safety preparations before you even pack!