Important Safety Tips for Travel

Whether you are traveling locally or abroad, safety should be your top priority. There is no such thing as a "perfectly safe" place. So follow these tips on how to make your next trip even safer.
Do your research. This is a broad recommendation, but truly, the more research you do about your destination before you get there, the better. Learn about the local customs (so you don't offend the wrong person), the local laws (so you don't mistakenly break one), and the geography of the area (so you won't get lost).

Avoid certain areas. Speaking of maps, learn which areas of town to avoid. There are probably areas of your own home town you wouldn't frequent, so don't make your vacation any different. Learn which areas to avoid and learn transit routes around them. You might run into trouble, but you don't have to go looking for it!

Keep your wits about yourself. It's easy to let your guard down when you're traveling. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and end up intoxicated and in an uncomfortable situation. Being intoxicated will lower your inhibitions and cause you to make decisions you wouldn't normally make. So if you are going to imbibe, make sure you are with someone you trust who can watch out for you.

Keep emergency cash. Keep at least a small amount of cash on you (somewhere other than your wallet). Think unusual places like your bra (try a bra-stash as pictured below), your shoe, or in a money belt. If you do find yourself in a bad situation you will at least be able to catch a cab/bus and make a phone call.

Tell someone your plans. As fun as it is to "fly by the seat of your pants" it's important that someone knows what you're up to. If you don't want to "check in" with someone, then at least leave a note with your belongings or tell the front desk of where you are stay. When I'm traveling alone I email myself my plan for the day. If something happens to me, chances are my email will be the first thing they check.

Get a calling card. I know technology has pretty much made these obsolete, but I can't tell you how many times a calling card has come in handy. I don't even have the actual card anymore-just the number engrained in my head. Cell phone batteries can die, service can be hard to find, or you can lose the entire phone.

Get the right gear. There are a lot of travel accessories that can help keep you safe. An emergency whistle can draw attention to you if you get into a sticky situation. Get a portable door jamb to lock yourself in an insecure hotel room. Carry a first aid kit while traveling so that you are prepared for physical problems you might run into.

Learn some local language. I find that often times when I feel scared or threatened when traveling it's only because I don't have any local language skills. It's just a fear of not being able to communicate. Pick up a phrase book and try to learn a few things before you go. If nothing else, it may make you feel more comfortable and confident when traveling.


What are your best important safety trips for travel? We'd love to hear about it!

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