As wonderful and exciting as it is to travel, it doesn’t come without its pitfalls. When you’re in a place that is unfamiliar, it can sometimes leave you more vulnerable than you would be ordinarily. That is why you must always exercise caution and use common sense.
This year has been an unpredictable one, to say the least – the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact not only on the health of so many but also on our travels. We have needed to wear masks, avoid being too close to others, clean our hands more than ever, as well as self-isolating if we have symptoms or have been diagnosed. It has made a lot of us fearful of travel, especially to areas with higher cases. However, it is still possible to go away to some destinations, provided your trip has not been canceled – visit Creditfix for more information if you have been affected by a cancelation.
Here we have put together some general tips to help you to stay safe whilst traveling.
Research
Preparation is imperative when it comes to sorting out your trip. Whilst the idea of going with the flow and having a spontaneous adventure does seem like fun, it isn’t always sensible. Book accommodation in advance, work out timings including how to get to where you’re staying and learn a bit about the surrounding area. Stay in recommended places and if the language in the country you are visiting is one that you do not speak, write down a few common phrases that could help you get by if a problem were to occur. Research the COVID rate and find out if it is a safe place to visit. Most countries will comply with safety precautions, as nobody wants the virus to continue to spread.
Be discreet with your valuables
One thing that makes tourists appealing to criminals is their money. And their valuables. Keep these as safe as possible. Lock your items in a safe, use a discreet money belt, or have a bag that lies close to your body and shuts securely. If it is something that you don’t need to take with you, then don’t. If you don’t want to risk having it lost or stolen, then you’re better off without it, and it is something less to worry about.
Be sensible
A lot of this information is obvious but in reality, many people become more reckless when they are on a trip away – inhibitions go out of the window, especially when alcohol is involved. Whether it is walking back to your accommodation alone in the dark, eating that suspicious-looking piece of meat from the street vendor, or hopping on a random motorbike taxi – use your initiative and don’t take unnecessary risks.
Make sure you have plenty of face masks and hand sanitizer with you at all times, as the likelihood is you will need them for public areas.
Stay in a group
If you’re with people you can trust, you can look out for one another and ensure each other’s safety. Don’t wander alone for hours only to find you’re in the middle of nowhere, lost and without phone signal. If you are with others you can help and support yourselves together and you are less likely to be targetted by criminals.
Always keep essentials with you
Water is probably one of the most important things you can carry, especially when you are somewhere hot and walking long distances. It’s also a good idea to keep some food with you, just in case you get hungry and there aren’t any shops around. We are so reliant on our mobile phones these days, taking a small portable charger with you is always wise, just in case you do run out of power.
