With the lockdown restrictions slowly being lifted, more and more people will be making new plans to travel. Travelling can be an eye-opening and exhilarating experience, and it’s easy to get carried away organizing your once-in-a-lifetime trip. However, being a tourist in an unfamiliar country can put your safety at risk.
Solo Safety is Easy when Travelling
Here are some top tips on how to stay safe while traveling.
Abide by the Country’s Driving Laws
Although many driving laws are universal, different countries can have their own unique rules of the road. Failure to follow these strict regulations can lead to hefty fines or penalty points on your licence. In more serious cases, you could even be taken to court. If this is the case, you need to hire a lawyer who can create a strong case in your favor to reduce the repercussions of your wrongdoings.
Driving lawfully abroad
Organize Travel Insurance
Regardless of how long you plan to travel for, you will need travel insurance. Accidents happen, and if you’re left with an injury that requires immediate or ongoing medical treatments, your medical bills can rack up if you don’t have insurance. Having travel insurance will also cover you in the event of missing luggage or canceled flights.
Do your research and find the best quote so you can enjoy your travels knowing you’re well covered.
Avoid Joining Public WiFi Networks
Public Wi-Fi networks are generally safe, but you can never be certain. It’s easy for hackers and thieves to steal your digital information via a public network.
Avoid joining any public Wi-Fi networks well you’re traveling. If you need access to the Internet, make sure you use a virtual private network, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or SurfShark. Alternatively, you can set up your own hotspot via a portable router.
Avoid Dangerous Environments
If you’re in a foreign country, you probably don’t know your way around. This makes it difficult to know where the dangerous or dodgy areas are. Make sure you research which locations to avoid in order to stay out of danger.
Keep Your Bag Close at All Times
No matter what country you’re traveling to, there will be thieves around. Keep your bag close to your body at all times when you’re walking around, and make sure the zip of your bag is closed. It’s also great to get into the habit of keeping your hand over the zip so nobody can gain access to your bag without you noticing.
When you are sat down at a restaurant or event, keep your bag either on your lap or in front of your feet under the table. If you get up out of your seat, take your bag and any other belongings with you every time. You never know when there is a thief nearby ready to grab your bag or credit card.
Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: My New Backpack – The BackLight®18L From Mindshift Gear
Lock Your Doors
You wouldn’t leave your door unlocked at home, so why would you do it while you’re away? Make sure that you lock your doors every time you leave your accommodation and keep your keys somewhere safe in your bag or pocket. Never give your keys to somebody that you do not trust, and never get extra copies of your keys cut. Not only does this keep your belongings safe from thieves, but it also keeps you safer when you’re relaxing in your room.
Keep a Copy of Your Important Documents
Important documents include your passport, insurance information, immunization history, and forms of identification. Many of these are required for you to access a number of services in foreign countries, and, of course, you’re going to need your passport to get home. In case you lose the original documents, always keep a second copy of them all. If possible, also create an electronic version of each one.
Be Careful Who You Speak to
Whether you’re traveling alone or with friends, you will likely want to chat with the locals or with others who are on a similar traveling adventure to you. However, striking conversations with the wrong people can put your safety at risk.
How do you know who the ‘wrong people’ are? Unfortunately, it’s hard to determine whether or not a person is genuine when you first chat to them, but be wary about the information you disclose. I met a nasty girl on my travels and she caused 6 years or more of depression due to being a liar. Never mention your address or financial information to anyone until you know they can be trusted.