Safety While Traveling: What You Need to Know

​We are getting closer to the holiday season, which is a popular time to travel. Unfortunately, not every destination in the world is as safe as others, including the United States.

​With that in mind, we wanted to discuss safety while traveling, and give you some tips and information to consider when you plan your next getaway.

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Know before you go:
One of the best ways to be safe while traveling is to do some research before visiting your destination of choice (or better yet, talk to your travel agent that specializes in that destination). Just a few things you may want to look into include:

• Crime rates of the city you will be visiting (including incidents involving pickpockets, other theft, fraud, assault, crime against tourists, etc…
  
  
• Advisories for the city you will be in. Some areas issue advisories that you need to be aware of. For example, if you are in an area that does not permit juveniles to be out after dark, you need to adhere to that rule to avoid issues with local authorities. Also keep in mind, that some countries are quite large, and advisories can span several hundred or several thousand miles. The more research you can do into a place you will be visiting, the better. This is especially true if you’re going somewhere off the beaten path, exotic, or dangerous.
  
  
• Where your embassy is in the country you’re visiting? You never know what could happen, so being prepared is your best defense.
  
  
• For your health safety, it’s also a good idea to research if there are any shots or tests you should take before you go. Some countries require immunizations to be up to date, and others advise you to take shots for various diseases you could be at risk for.
  
  

Keep important information on your person:

Things to keep on your person include:

• The information for your hotel you will be staying at (address, phone number, and bonus points if you can include cross streets). Note: this information should be kept in a small notebook in case your phone battery dies.
  
  
• A COPY of your passport (depending on the country, you may be required to have your original passport or visa on you, but most do not and I highly recommend keeping your original in your hotel safe to not risk theft or losing it).
  
  
• Travel insurance information, and yes, you NEED travel insurance overseas (in the event you need a hospital or other emergency services).
  
  

A quick note about keeping important information on you - Don’t keep it in your wallet or purse. In the event you are the victim of a pickpocket, it could be stolen. Instead, keep it in a money belt that you wear under your shirt. And, leave copies of important documents in your hotel safe. It’s also a good idea to leave copies of these documents with family back home in case you need copies faxed/emailed should everything get lost or stolen in transit.

We’re not invincible on vacation, but we can travel smarter:

Unfortunately, things can happen on vacation that we don’t want to have happen. Here are a few additional things you can do to protect yourself:
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• Use caution when drinking alcohol while in foreign areas. Sadly, inebriated and even just barely inebriated tourists are a prime target for petty theft (even in your own city - so use caution and be aware of surroundings). Never accept a drink from someone you don't know unless you saw it being made or opened. 
  
  
• Walk in groups, or at a minimum in pairs. The buddy system is your friend as you’re less likely to be targeted than someone who is alone.
  
  
• Avoid walking down dimly lit streets, don’t take shopkeepers up on offers for visiting back rooms for “a great deal,” and basically, avoid anything if you’re uncomfortable with it.
  
  
• Never give money to beggars on the street or sign a petition to help a "local cause". When you pull out money, they can easily grab everything and run; have another person waiting around the corner knowing you have money in your wallet OR even just take anything they can from your bag as you are distracted talking with them or signing their clipboard. 
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The odds are slim you'll have issues with safety while traveling. However, a cautious traveler is less likely to have a negative experience. Keep your wits about you, stay alert, and use good judgement when exploring any new area. Be prepared and don't let fear rule your ability to explore the wonders of the world, otherwise, you'll be stuck inside forever with all the uncertainty these days.

If you have travel questions or concerns, we are happy to discuss them and help plan your ultimate vacation. Call us at (913) 244-9195, and we’ll create the perfect itinerary for you.

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