Top Tips For Travel Safety
True enough, travel opens the doors to a whole world of adventure. It’s exciting, it’s exhilarating, it’s challenging! But the flipside is it can also be a little bit daunting. Step outside your comfort zone and the most streetwise soul can feel vulnerable when travelling abroad, particularly if they’re going solo.
To help put minds at rest, i-to-i has got together the following top 10 tips to keep you safe and sound when going abroad. So sit up, take note and by following these simple hints you’ll help make sure that all your travellers’ tales are happy ones:
- Money: Travellers’ cheques are a good way to avoid carrying big wads of cash, but today even some very remote places have cash machines. Before you go, shop around for a bank that doesn’t charge for overseas withdrawals (Nationwide is excellent). A money belt is also a must.
- Insurance: According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office around a third of gap year travellers don’t take out travel insurance. Scary when you think the cost of an air ambulance plus medical fees can mount up to £100,000. Put simply, it’s not worth the risk, so don’t scrimp on this essential.
- Health: Sure there are plenty of weird and wonderful diseases around, but there are ways to minimise your risk. Make sure you get up-to-date medical advice from government websites. Local travel clinics or your GP should be able to advise on jabs - some are needed weeks in advance, so plan ahead.
- Padlocks: Highly recommended for your backpack as well as smaller bags. They can also be used on many lockers in hostels and guesthouses to keep your valuables safe. Combination locks are best as the key ones are easy to pick and those fiddly little keys are sure to go missing at some point.
- Drinking: At 50p a pint there are times when you are going to have a drink (and why not?). The key is moderation: heat will make you feel drunker quicker and if you are legless in a foreign place you could be an easy target for crime. Some countries frown on drinking, so remember to be respectful.
- Drugs: You may well come across someone selling their narcotic wares on your travels. The best advice is to avoid like the plague. Many cultures have extremely strict laws on possessing drugs, let alone taking them into other countries (think jail sentences) so it’s best to play safe.
- Do your homework: Chances are you’ll be fine, but it’s a good idea to check out any health scares, political uprisings and weather warnings etc before you set off. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is a good place to start - see www.fco.gov.uk
- Practise your stern stare: If you look lost or vulnerable, you will be a prime target for bag-snatchers or pick-pockets. The more confident you look, the less likely you’ll be bothered, so give the impression you’re a travel pro.
- Follow the fashion: Many cultures have unspoken dress codes, particularly for women. Travel guides will give you an idea of what’s acceptable, but if you’re unsure, covered legs and arms are your best bet at first.
- Common sense: Most of all just use your head - keep aware and watch each other. Walking around in remote areas alone at night is never going to be a smart idea. Most of all think- would I do that at home? If not then don’t do it overseas.
By its very nature, there’ll always be a small element of risk when you travel – but you could argue that the same is true of popping down to your local! So don’t be afraid. Play by the rules, explore, investigate and enjoy your adventures.
Bon voyage!
