Article information from: https://www.life360.com/blog/summer-travel-safety-tips/
With summer vacation around the corner, there is no better time to share a few safety tips so you can travel worry-free. No matter where your adventures take you, whether overseas or on the road, these tips will help keep you safe so that you can enjoy your summer travels.
- Check for travel advisories. Before you make any international travel plans, do some homework on the country you plan to visit. You should never board a plane without checking the State Department’s travel advisories posted for countries all around the world. Here is a link to the travel advisories.
- Beware of local scams. Stay savvy about what local scams are common (if any) at your vacation destination with a quick internet search.
- Stay off the roads at night. When traveling to remote locations or countries, it is smart to avoid driving at night, as it may be dangerous to drive after dark.
- Know your US Embassy & the local 911. Before hopping on a plane, find out where the US Embassy is located for your intended destination. In case of an emergency, that is where you would want to go. You can look up US Embassy addresses here. It is also important to know a country’s version of 911 when you are traveling overseas. This way, if you are alone and need assistance, you know what to dial. And do not assume every place has a local emergency service. There are some situations where emergency services may not be available or able to get to you. Look up local 911 by country here.
- Safe road tripping. Long road trips are a great way to see the world, but they also leave you vulnerable when passing through rural or desolate areas. Use a driver protection plan. They can offer crash detection, emergency response and roadside assistance.
- Use reputable agencies. If you are going overseas to participate in any type of local tour or excursion such as a safari, make sure you are working with a reputable agency. Sometimes employees can tip off locals letting them know unsuspecting tourists are in town, so be cautious. If any person or situation feels untrustworthy, listen to your instincts and walk away. To check if an agency is reputable or not, you can ask your embassy or a credible hotel chain’s concierge.
- Stay connected. It is important to have someone know where you are, so make sure to keep your family and friends in the know. Use a reliable location-sharing app. That way, loved ones can stay in touch and keep an eye out.
- Wait to post. Be careful not to advertise to everyone that you are out of town, which leaves your home and other belongings vulnerable. Wait to post your vacation photos until after you have returned from your trip.
- Deter pickpockets. Wrap your wallet in a light scarf to make it harder for someone to reach into your bag and grab it. Another good rule of thumb is to always keep your bag on your hip in front of you. And do not keep your wallet in your back pocket.
- Do not use public Wi-Fi. It opens you up to hackers who are just waiting for someone to log on. Public Wi-Fi puts all of your personal information at risk. Use only trustworthy networks with a passcode.
