Follow these seven travel safety precautions to ensure that your vacation is memorable for all the right reasons.
1. Conduct your research
Before you arrive, familiarize yourself well with your location. Read visitor reviews and speak with locals to learn about the safest areas, places to stay, and crime rates. For national updates, visit the State Department's website and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).Knowing who to contact in an emergency is another vital travel security measure. Find out how to contact the closest embassy or consulate, police station, and other local emergency services.
2. Don't bring attention to yourself
People who seem to be from out of town are particularly susceptible to crime, so try to blend in as much as possible. Choose attire that is unobtrusive and will not draw attention to yourself. When looking at maps, be inconspicuous, and approach people with caution if you need instructions.Consider purchasing protective clothes and equipment to make it more difficult for pickpockets to take the money and other personal belongings.
3. Make duplicates of vital papers
You never know when you'll need a duplicate of your passport, driver's license, or another piece of identity. Scan these papers to store them online and print multiple copies. You won't have to scramble for the correct papers if you need to return home.4. Maintain contact with your friends and family
Whether you're going on an overnight trip or a month-long overseas trip, it's always a good idea to notify friends and relatives back home. Send a printout of your itinerary to a few trustworthy persons who can keep track of your whereabouts before you go. Check-in with your contacts on a frequent basis to ensure they know you're where you're meant to be.5. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi
Don't allow the ease of access to the Internet to cloud your judgment. When you use public Wi-Fi, hackers aiming to steal sensitive information, such as credit cards or Social Security numbers, may get access to your data. If you need a wireless Internet connection, set up a virtual private network (VPN) to enable you to access the Internet safely while traveling.6. Protect your hotel room
Even if your hotel has strict security measures in place, you may take steps to make your room safer. Lock and deadbolt the door, and keep the windows closed. You may add another degree of security by purchasing a jammer, which is a small gadget that slides under the door.Place a Do Not Disturb sign on the outside of your door and keep the blinds or windows closed to create the idea that you're in your room even when you're not.
Allow no strangers inside your room, even if they claim to work for the hotel. You may always phone the front desk to see whether someone has been summoned to your room by hotel employees.
7. Keep an eye on your surroundings
Don't let your guard down in order to capture the ideal image for your social media platforms. Always keep a watch on your personal items and take caution while speaking with strangers. The possibility to meet new people and learn about their cultures are a significant part of what makes traveling so enjoyable. However, if someone close to you is behaving suspiciously, or if you feel uneasy, leave the location immediately.Following these guidelines may help you travel securely, but no matter how many measures you take, the unexpected can always occur. Stay secured with Nationwide travel insurance and enjoy peace of mind no matter where you go.
