With COVID vaccines being distributed around the world, the possibility of traveling again is starting to grow!
No matter your destination, here are a few things that all travelers should keep in mind when it comes to their personal safety.
Get travel insurance
Travel insurance is one of those things that you never need — until you do. It is one thing that I will never travel without, and if the Covid pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of not having any barriers to getting access to healthcare when you need it.
My travel insurance of choice is always World Nomads, which I have been using since 2007. You can buy it from anywhere, it’s affordable, and has lots of add-ons if you are planning on doing any specific activities or adventures while you are exploring.
Share your itinerary with friends or family
Whether you are traveling alone, or with someone else, it is important that you let someone know what your plans are, and any accommodations, travel arrangements, or activities that you have booked.
If anything happens to you, or if you need to be contacted, they will be able to help authorities get to your last known location and potentially track you down. Make sure to check in from time to time if your plans change to ensure someone knows where you are.
Write down emergency information before you leave
Do you know the emergency number to call for the country you are traveling to? Is it 911, 119, 112?
The number to access help is different all over the world, and it’s important to be aware of what you need to call in case of emergency. Wikipedia has a great resource that breaks it down here: List of Emergency Telephone Numbers Around the World
It is also important to know where your embassy is in the country you are visiting in case of a disaster or emergency — you can also register at the embassy when you arrive if you want your whereabouts to be known.
Most importantly, make sure you have an emergency plan in place. Can you get out of the country quickly if you have to? If you or your travel companions get hurt do you know what to do? Document your plan. and any emergency contacts, on paper or on your device so that it is easy to access when you need it.
Pack a first aid kit
No matter how careful you are, injuries happen — paper can cut you anywhere! But in all seriousness, it’s important to have a few supplies on-hand just in case you are in need of first aid.
Curate your kit for the type of trip you are planning (a hiking trip first aid kit will look different than a European vacation kit), but no matter where you are headed, I recommend the following core items.
Band-aids
pain pills
anti-histamine pills
an antibacterial cream for cuts and scrapes
gauze and tape
anti-bacterial wipes
scissors (if you are checking your bag)
Social media safety
If you are one of those rare people who doesn’t share anything on social media, this tip won’t apply to you — and I salute you. But if you are someone who likes to share content when you travel, it is important to be mindful of what you are posting.
Don’t post images of your passport, flight, hotel information, etc., as this content can be used to steal your identity, and can make you an easy target for a scammer or thief. Also, be careful not to tag your exact location, while you are in that location, when you post a photo, as this is basically just telling anyone looking to target you exactly where to find you — especially if you are traveling by yourself.
Lock up your valuables
First of all, I highly suggest not bringing a ton of valuables with you to begin with, as you don’t want to risk having something expensive or that matters to you lost or stolen. It is inevitable, however, that you will have some valuable items with you — cameras, laptops or other devices, jewelry, etc. — and if they can’t be with you at all times, makes sure you have somewhere to lock them up.
If you are in a hotel or guesthouse, there should be a safe in your room or at the front desk that you can use. It’s also smart to bring a lock or two with you to lock the zippers on your pack or suitcase together if you are going to be traveling on busses or trains where you will be separated from your bag. You will also want the lock for when you are staying in hostels that usually provide you with a locker to store your belongings.
Be aware of your clothing
Wearing the wrong clothing can scream tourist and make you a huge target for scammers.
It can also make you stand out in countries, or at tourist sights, where being conservative is the law. Wikipedia has a great resource that covers the clothing laws in countries around the world: Clothing Laws by Country. Make sure to consult this resource and be aware of what the laws are in the country you are visiting.
Project confidence at all times
It is important, especially if you are traveling alone, to be aware of what you are projecting to the people around you. Holding your head up (and not buried in your phone or map), making eye contact (as long as social norms allow), and walking with purpose will help you stay alert and aware of your surroundings while also helping to prevent you from becoming a target.
If you are lost or scared, try and find a safe place to duck into — a hotel lobby, a restaurant or café, a shop — to get your bearings or ask for help.
Trust your gut
The best way to keep yourself safe is to trust your instincts.
If you feel uneasy and unsure all of a sudden and you don’t know why, stop and try and assess your situation. Don’t write it off or ignore it. Your body might be sensing signs of danger, before your brain is aware of it, in other words, your intuition might be trying to save your life — listen to it.
Pin Me!
Meet The Author
Lindsay Shapka is an avid traveler and the creator of The Anthrotorian — a website dedicated to sharing travel tips, stories about adventures, culture quirks, artists you should know, fascinating bits of history, and more!
She is also an artist, marketing specialist, editor, and freelance writer who has work featured on websites, blogs, and in magazines like National Geographic Traveler.
Tourists make the perfect mark for a scam artist. We are disoriented, don't know the language, are wide eyed, and are distracted by the new world that we have found ourselves in.
I have been approached by people all over the world who, while they seem kind, are actually out to relieve me of my wallet or other valuables.