Travel Safety 101: Tips For A Safe Trip Abroad

Unwary tourists can make easy targets for thieves because they stand out in a crowd, are unused to their surroundings, and are generally carrying money, credit cards and valuables like cameras. You can reduce your risk of being mugged or robbed by taking a few simple precautions. You could also consult with your travel agent, or talk to friends who have already visited your intended destination. We have prepared the following travel tips to help you avoid serious difficulties during your time abroad. We wish you a safe and wonderful journey!

  • Do not dress in a way that could mark you as an affluent tourist. Expensive-looking jewelry, for instance, can draw the wrong attention.
  • Always try to travel light. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand.
  • Carry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to put them each in a different place rather than all in one wallet or pouch.
  • Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves.
  • If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Pack them and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage.
  • To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.
  • Bring travelers’ checks and one or two major credit cards instead of cash.
  • Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen.
  • Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. If possible, lock your luggage.
  • Learn the local laws and customs of the country you are visiting
  • As much as possible, plan to stay in larger hotels that have more elaborate security.
  • Book a room from the second to seventh floors above ground level – high enough to deter easy entry from outside, but low enough for fire equipment to reach.
  • Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. Also, check on whether your health insurance covers you abroad.
  • Be especially cautious in (or avoid) areas where you may be more easily victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and crime-ridden neighborhoods and travelling alone at night.
  • Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
  • Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers.
  • Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority.
  • Know how to use a pay telephone and have the proper change or token on hand.
  • Learn a few phrases in the local language or have them handy in written form so that you can signal your need for police or medical help.
  • Keep your hotel door locked at all times. Meet visitors in the lobby.
  • Do not leave money and other valuables in your hotel room while you are out. Use the hotel safe.
  • Only take taxis clearly identified with official markings. Beware of unmarked cabs.
  • Do not accept food or drink from strangers.
  • Do not be afraid to alert authorities if you feel threatened in any way. Extra police are often assigned to ride trains on routes where crime is a serious problem.

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5 Comments

  1. Pst.Olusegun Lanre-Iyanda says:

    Good.Good.Good.AND TIMELY TOO!

  2. ADEBOYE WASIU A says:

    prepare my visa to canada…

  3. okoko tejiri says:

    Tanx a million for dis,I culd read it a million times..please I need a return ticket to dubia for easter..plSsssss

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