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Keeping yourself safe while travelling abroad

Posted by Spartan 24 Hour Security on Saturday, August 19, 2017 Under: Personal Security
Safety Advice for International Trips



Few things are more exciting than travelling internationally. When travelling abroad, you get to experience all the wonderful cultures that make up our world. Many people are wary of international travel, however, fearing that it is dangerous. For the most part, travelling throughout the world is very safe. This being said, there are safety precautions that every traveller should employ to ensure that their trip remains a joyous one. 

Get a Checkup and the Appropriate Vaccines

Always have a physical prior to your trip to ensure that you are healthy enough to travel abroad, and make certain that you understand the health concerns of the country you are planning to visit. Numerous worldwide travel destinations require vaccinations prior to your arrival, so make sure that you know the immunisations you need and that you are immunised prior to your trip.

Make Electronic Copies of Your Documents

You’ll be carrying important documentation with you when travelling abroad. Create an electronic backup of your immunisation record, itinerary, medical insurance card, passport, plane tickets, travel insurance, and visas before you leave. Email the file to yourself and keep it in your inbox so you can access the information from your smartphone should the paperwork be lost or damaged.



Don’t Carry Everything Together

It might be tempting to keep your cash, credit cards, identification, and traveller’s checks in your wallet, but don’t do it. Keep any cash, credit cards, IDs, and checks you won’t be using locked in your hotel room safe. Separate the monetary and identifying items you must carry on you and carry them in different spots on your person. This safety tip prevents you from losing everything should somebody steal your wallet.

Don’t Carry Things in Your Back Pocket

Speaking of theft, pick-pocketing is common in certain areas around the world, and yes, pickpockets have been known to target tourists. Do not keep anything in your back pocket, including your wallet, a small purse, your hotel room keys… anything! Doing so opens you up to becoming an easy target for the swift hand of a pickpocket.

Keep Items to Your Front

Another thing you might be tempted to do is hang your purse on the back of your chair at a pavement or set your bags down at your feet. This isn’t a good idea, either, because your attention is going to be attracted to the new sights around you. Keep your bags in your lap or at the front of your feet under the table, with the straps wrapped around your leg.

Look Back When Leaving

The previous tip often helps prevent leaving things behind; after all, if you have your purse strap wrapped around your leg, you’ll trip over it getting up if you don’t remove it. People do, however, leave personal items behind all the time when they’re ready to move on to their next destination. Look back at where you were sitting as you’re leaving just to make certain you didn’t forget your purse, shopping bags, or anything else of importance.

Leave the “Bling” at Home

It might be tempting to wear your favourite jewellry throughout your trip or take pictures with that new, really expensive camera, but in the interest of your safety, don’t. If you tour your international destination dressed to the nines and wearing all sorts of expensive jewellry, you are announcing to potential thieves that you are a worthy mugging target. Keep it simple and appropriate for the place you are visiting, and hide your camera in a case when you aren’t using it.

Don’t Talk to Strangers

Of course you’ll be talking to the people of the land you are visiting – that’s the best part of travelling, meeting new people! Don’t get carried away, however, and begin to trust strangers with your life story or personal information. Think about what you say to your children and stick to your own advice. Don’t talk to strangers who don’t look trustworthy, do not accept food or drink from them, and definitely do not go somewhere with them unless they are your licensed tour guide and you’re on your booked tour.

Don’t Solicit Beggars

Many nations have areas that suffer from poverty just as we do here in the U.K.  It is important not to traverse these areas without the proper guides, and it is even more important not to give beggars cash or any of your belongings. Of course you want to help them out, but if you are truly interested in finding ways to aid the poverty-stricken in the land you are visiting, research local charities and donate that way.

Don’t Try to Be a Hero

The flip side of the previous tip is don’t try to be a hero if you, unfortunately, become the victim of a mugging. Rather than attempt to fight the perpetrator, give your belongings up. Your cash, credit cards, identification, and traveller’s checks are not worth injury or death. Give the items up quickly, and once you’re out of danger, proceed to the nearest U.K Consulate or appropriate authority to report the incident.

Avoid Using Your Credit Card at Internet Cafes

With the advent of the Internet, criminals have found a new way to commit identity theft. Internet cafes are extremely popular among travellers. They are a quick and easy way to grab a cup of coffee while emailing the latest details of your adventure to your family and friends. Criminals keep a wary eye and use key-logger software on the computers in Internet cafes in an effort to obtain your credit card information, so pay for the computer use with cash.

Be Properly Insured

Many people are of the opinion that they do not need travel insurance, and nothing could be further from the truth. Your health insurance might offer you some international coverage, but chances are good that it doesn’t cover potential illness, injury, or even death completely when you are on foreign soil. Your belongings need to be insured, too, for the simple reason that anything might happen to them. Make certain that you, your fellow travellers, and everything you are taking on the trip is properly insured prior to leaving.

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