22 Important Travel Safety Tips You Need To Know

Traveling allows you to see the bigger world and gives you a tremendous feeling of freedom once you`re on the go. It is exciting and unique. Therefore, it is recommended to travel outside the country at least once in our life. But despite the good things the trip brings, it also carries several risks. When you go to a new place that you don`t know, you don`t know the ins and outs that make that specific location work. It`s scary, but it`s not as bad as it could be if you know what to do when you`re around. If safety is always a concern for you when it comes to traveling, then here at livedrills.com we have 22 essential travel safety tips that every traveler should know:

1.   Do your research

Try to learn more about the country, safe accommodation, cultural, the safest places, and the areas or regions. Take a trip with your eyes wide open to avoid surprises. Much of the information about your travel destination is available with just a few clicks, be sure to spend your time wisely researching the various essentials you`ll need during your trip and how safe these accommodations are for your trip.

2.   Stay Low Profile

Whether this is with expensive equipment, showing off your wealth will only make you more attractive to scammers. It is also best to bring an appropriate ATM card or travel credit card for this trip, so that you can withdraw and recover your credit directly when paying for services.

3.   Keep emergency contact information handy

Probably the most important details you have on hand at all times are what you will need in an emergency. Ambulance lines, local police, and directions to the nearest embassy in your country are vital information to keep in place should a problem arise. Instead of leaving yourself open to a difficult situation, frantically looking for the right phone numbers to relax, prepare them ahead of time. That way, no matter what happens, you can be sure you have the correct information in case you need it.

4.   Scan your travel documents

Put copies of your essential travel documents, including your driver`s license, passport photos, travel insurance information, hotel reservations and other travel confirmations, on a USB stick or on your computer so you can easily present and print this type of documents when necessary need.

5.   Get good travel insurance

This is also something that many people forget. You never think you need travel insurance, until you have it and don`t have it. However, if it`s there, can you relax knowing you have the right blanket in place if something goes wrong?

Obtaining insurance from a reputable provider for your health and personal effects will ensure that all bases are covered. Just be aware that property insurance will generally be tied to a specific price per item. So if you plan on carrying expensive camera gear, you will want to find insurance that covers it entirely. Also note that not all travel insurance companies have done the same. Some contain gaps and clauses that, if not properly addressed, can invalidate your coverage. Failure to report pre-existing illnesses, for example, can cost exorbitant amounts on hospital bills if the disaster decides to strike again. Before buying insurance, verify that you are buying from a reliable source. In this way, you will be legally covered in all situations.

6.   Manage your travel expenses

If you plan to use your debit and credit cards, be sure to inform your bank in advance that you will be abroad, or you could find your card blocked due to suspicious activity. Investigating the best places to exchange your money for local currency at ATMs in advance can be scarce in some places. When traveling, always carry a small amount of cash with you.

7.   Learn about typical weather conditions

Being safe while traveling also means protecting yourself from extreme weather conditions. So, check the local weather ahead when you visit. Certain regions may be periodically affected by severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, or landslides. Therefore, it is better that you know this beforehand. You can find out.

8.   Protect yourself and stay safe when you log in

Hiding your physical credit card is important, but what happens if hackers steal your credit card details while online? Using unknown WiFi networks can put you at danger, as your privacy may be compromised. You want to periodically check your credit card reports when you travel and look for any suspicious activity. Identity theft can cause major problems, especially when traveling. Hackers can access not only your credit card details, but also your email password, PayPal password, etc.

However, any type of traveler is in danger. The use of WiFi in airports, hotels, train stations, etc. It`s very common. The solution to all this is VPN, it encrypts your data, so every time you use public WiFi, you won`t have to worry about whether it`s secure or not. You can download the VPN app for your phone and the VPN software for your laptop for a small fee and stay safe.

9.   Behave responsibly

Many countries have rules and customs, and as a responsible traveler you must follow them. Be sure to research these details in advance, to find out exactly which laws to follow. When traveling alone, don`t risk venturing alone at night. You are the easiest target when you are alone at night, so it is better to stay home. Travel in a group if you must go out at night.

10.  Keep your valuables close

When packing, make sure all essentials are in your carry-on luggage. Your checked baggage is very likely to be lost in transit and you don`t want to be abroad without your wallet or documents. Therefore, you should always have your valuables on hand. Some of the items you should always carry with you are: your passport, other travel documents, crucial medications, a phone and charger, your wallet and keys, and an extra change of clothes.

Having these valuables with you ensures that the loss of your luggage will not completely cripple you. Also, if you sleep in a hostel, you should sleep with your valuables in your pillowcase. In this way, its essential elements will be close and nobody will be able to take them off without waking you up.

11.  Be aware of common travel scams

Unfortunately, there are a lot of scams out there that many travelers tend to drop. Wherever you choose to go in the world, you will always find people who are trying to trick you into the money you have had so much trouble earning. Long-standing scams such as delivery of free products, and money order or theft of your ID card by fraudulent police officers are common tricks used by scammers to get large sums of money. Knowing not just one, but how many existing scams you can research to make sure that if a scammer comes along, you will know exactly what to do to stay safe.

12.  Have copies of your identification and travel documents

It is essential to bring a copy of your passport. It is a good idea to keep a copy of your hotel address and phone number on a piece of paper in case of an emergency. Carry your loved ones` emergency phone numbers with you so they can be contacted instantly in the event of an accident.

13. Memorize local emergency numbers

Wherever you go, make sure you know the local emergency numbers. Your reference should be your place of accommodation. You never know when you will face an emergency that requires special attention from the proper authorities. You may panic, making it difficult to seek help. Therefore, memorizing local emergency numbers in advance will help you avoid it. You can save them to your phone or make a note of them, but you should also try to memorize them yourself.

14.  Be careful what you eat

Food poisoning is a major concern for travelers. It cannot guarantee the cleanliness of some cheaper local restaurants. However, you can enjoy street food in places popular for its street food culture. If you don`t have the stomach for street food, you may want to ignore it to be sure.

15.  Use ATMs wisely

We have all been told to cover our PIN codes when we enter them into ATMs, and this is definitely a tip to follow when traveling. The cameras built into these machines have been known to trap card users and cheat them with hard-earned money.

However, these cameras are not the only security threats that ATMs can be loaded with. It is always advisable to take a close look at a cash dispenser before use, lightly pulling on the coins to verify tampering. If you see any, be sure to inform the appropriate bank immediately and ask for help with your withdrawal. Some people modify ATMs, making their credit or debit card vulnerable to attack. Therefore, you should check your ATM before using it to ensure that no one has tampered with it. Also, you should always be aware of your surroundings to know that no one is getting too close or trying to get your PIN.

16.  Bring a first aid kit

In a crisis, you should bring a first-aid kit. You do not need to bring a full set of surgical tools. All you need is the basics, including your medicine. It would be better if you could focus on treating common injuries and illnesses that you may encounter during your trip.

17.  Drink responsibly

You will be more vulnerable if you go out drinking, especially if you don`t have someone you trust. If possible, don`t drink too much to stay alert. This does not mean that you should go without drinking, but you should not drink an amount that you cannot handle.

18.  Learn basic self defense

Taking a short self defense class before your trip can equip you with simple actions that will make you feel more secure. In case someone tries to mess with you, you can at least stand a chance against them with your self defense skills. Also, knowing that you have the skills to protect yourself will make you feel more confident, which could lead people to search for fruit on hand.

19.  Have an emergency cash supply

If you find yourself the victim of theft or lose your money or cards, maintaining an emergency cash reserve will ensure that such events do not completely ruin your trip. Some large caches include security pockets sewn into pants, hidden inside compartments like cases or belt pockets, or hidden in secret pockets in backpacks. In addition to having cash, a hidden credit card can also help. This way, even if you run out of money or have your own stolen, you can still ask a friend or family member to support you until you are back to normal. .

20.  Follow your instincts

It is always a good idea to trust your instincts when you travel for the first time. If your instinct tells you not to do something, it is better not to do it. Don`t be too friendly and implicitly trust a local by giving all your information. Follow your instincts about the people you interact with. When it comes to trying new activities, always avoid doing it if you don`t think it`s safe. Be aware of activities that may be too heavy for you, such as some extreme sports. While it may be manageable for some of your travel companions, you may not have the stomach for something like bungee jumping.

21.  Save credit card details

The same goes for credit cards. verification the details of the credit cards or debit cards you will be traveling with and stay them in a safe area, but where you can fast access it in an urgent situation, such as an email to yourself or in secure cloud storage. It will be easier to report lost or stolen cards to the bank if you have all the details at hand. Never carry all your credit cards or cash with you when you visit. Always leave a credit card and a cash refund in the hotel room. Preferably in the room safe or portable travel safe.

22.  Notify your bank

There is annoying that the bank has frozen your credit cards or debit cards when you are traveling. It is the bank`s responsibility to protect its accounts by monitoring and acting on irregular activities. If you don`t know your travel plans, how can you find out about this ATM withdrawal? You may be lucky and your bank has a system to contact you and go through a process of security checks to unlock your accounts. You may receive a notification from the bank to inform you of irregular activity on your accounts and that all transactions have been suspended until the situation is resolved, which can take days.