24 Essential Travel Safety Tips

No matter if you are traveling for pleasure or business, take some steps in advance to ensure you and your home will be safe while you are gone. Making travel safety one of your regular pre-trip planning steps will not only benefit you but will also give your loved ones peace of mind in the event of an emergency. The adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure rings true because there are many things you can do to make yourself less likely to become the target of crime, especially in densely populated vacation spots where opportunistic criminals prey on unsuspecting tourists.

The following tips help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip, empower you with savvy techniques to keep you safe during your travels and equip you with the knowledge about what to do if there is an emergency.?

Before you go

1.??Research your destination. Familiarize yourself with your destination in depth before you arrive. This does not only include the best tours and places to eat, but I’m also talking about understanding which neighborhoods are the safest, where to stay and an awareness about the incidence of crime.?

2.??Special considerations for travel abroad.?Check the United States Department of State website for country updates. You can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for free. This program helps the U.S. Embassy contact you in the event of an emergency, whether it is a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency. The program sends enrollees up-to-date information from the Embassy regarding safety conditions in their destination country to allow them to make informed decisions about their travel plans. Identify the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate?and store their contact information in your phone or other electronic device. Consular officers are available for emergency assistance 24/7. If you are planning to travel on a cruise ship, read the safety information provided by the cruise line before you board.

3.??Familiarize yourself with the lay of the land.?Google Maps and other online tools can help you scout out the area around your destination. Not only will you see what sites are within walking distance, but you can also see if there are local bus stops or other transit options.?

4.??Research ground transportation.?Research taxi and ridesharing companies and compile a list of options ahead of time. Stick with those that accept credit cards if possible. If you plan on taking public transportation, download the mobile app ahead of time (which can also save on your data usage if traveling abroad). These often have real-time updates with the current schedules and routes that can help you avoid waiting for a bus in an isolated area.

5.??Scan copies of your important documents.?Before traveling, scan copies of your driver’s license or other forms of identification and save them online. This includes your marriage license/abstract if you changed your name. Print copies of all of these and keep them with your travel documents.?

6.??Establish a bank account for travel use.?Have a bank account established with an ATM card separate from your “regular” account. In the event someone steals your banking information while you are traveling, the bulk of your money will remain secure, thus limiting your exposure. It will also be less of a headache if the bank needs to place a hold on it due to suspicious activity or if you need to close the account due to fraud. Find out what protections your credit card companies afford.

7.??Share your travel information.?Before your departure, share your itinerary with someone you trust. Provide them with the address and phone number of your accommodations and transportation information, like flight numbers. The odds that your flight will have a problem are small, but if something happens, it will give your loved ones peace of mind to be able to easily know if you might have been affected. In the event there is an emergency at home and your family needs to reach you, they can contact your hotel if your cell phone reception is spotty or if you have placed restrictions on your phone as a cost-saving measure.?

8.??Notify your local police department.?Most agencies will conduct house checks to ensure that your home is still secure while you are gone. They will also record important information regarding whom to contact if there is an emergency, whether or not there are any keyholders, if you are leaving any lights on and their locations, and information about any vehicles that will be left at the premises. If you have a trusted neighbor, let them know the dates you will be gone and ask them to keep an extra eye out for any suspicious activity. Also, request they retrieve any items that are placed on your door or stoop.

9.??Alert the post office.?Request a temporary hold on your mail service with the United States Postal Service. This can be done online and on the designated restart date, the carrier will deliver the items to your mailbox.

10.??Make a discreet exit.?Place your suitcases in your car when preying eyes are not around. Remind children that travel plans are private family matters and not to be discussed with their friends. Do not publicize your plans on social media, post photos from your trip, or write about what you did until you return.

When you get there

11.?Safeguard your valuables.?Place your cash, credit cards, and identification in a money belt or safe. Do not keep all your cash in one place where it can be seen when you pay. Keep your cell phone in a secure pocket and keep a firm grip on it if you are using it in crowded places. Stow valuables left in the hotel room in a safe if available. Some hotels will store your items in a safe at the front desk. Avoid traveling with expensive jewelry. Place zip ties on luggage zippers to ensure the hotel cleaning staff is not rifling through your belongings if you have items you are trying to secure. Do not leave bags or valuables visible in your car.?

12. Protect your financial information.?If you are making purchases online while in a public space, ensure your screen is not visible when you enter your credit card information. Be cognizant of who is around when providing credit card information over the phone and move to a private location if others can hear you. Only use a debit card to make a cash withdrawal from an ATM. All other transactions should be done with a credit card, preferably one that does not charge foreign transaction fees if traveling abroad.?

13.?Safeguard your hotel room.?Lock and deadbolt the door when you are in your room and keep your windows shut. Keep the curtains or blinds closed so others cannot gaze into your room. Do not leave valuables, such as bicycles, outside your place unlocked. Try to give the impression that you’re in your room even when you’re away by placing the Do Not Disturb sign on your door and keeping the television or radio on. If someone comes to your door unexpectedly, do not let them in, even if they say they work for the hotel. Call the front desk and verify they were sent to your room.

14.?Stay alert.?Although it is nice to unwind and relax on vacation, do not get lulled into a false sense of security. Be cautious when making friends with people you meet and take time to build trust. Always keep a grasp on your belongings, especially in crowded places. Transit stations and subways are prime locations for pickpockets who often work in teams. Keep your eyes moving and avoid distractions like wearing earbuds, reading, or talking on the phone. Never follow a "helpful" person who wants to show you the way.?

15.?Be smart about drinking.?If consuming alcohol, keep track of how much you’ve had to drink, and don’t overdo it. When you are intoxicated you become an easy target for nefarious actors. If you are going out in the evening, arrange your transportation back to your lodging in advance. If plans change, the reservation can always be amended.

16.?Try not to stand out.?People who look like tourists are especially vulnerable to crime, so try to blend in. If traveling abroad, do some research to understand how the locals dress. Wearing obvious American attire with logos displayed is an immediate giveaway. Be discreet when looking at maps and approach people carefully if you need to ask for directions.

17. Exercise caution when using public Wi-Fi.?Free sounds good until you become the victim of a hacker. If you do need wireless Internet service, set up a virtual private network (VPN) that will allow you to access the Internet securely while traveling.?

18.?Check in with family or friends.?Send a text message or call your loved ones from time to time while you are away. If your plans have shifted, let them know to avoid miscommunications.

If you have an emergency

19.?Your passport is lost or stolen.?Go to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a replacement. Depending on your timeline, officials will work with you to issue a replacement or a temporary passport to allow you to return home.?

20.??Your credit card(s) are stolen.?Call and report it immediately to your credit card company. In many cases, they may be able to overnight you a replacement or issue a new card for your digital wallet.?

21.?You become the victim of a crime.While filing a report with the local police might not change your immediate situation, resources are allocated according to crime reports. By stepping forward, you are helping other travelers and residents in the area. Request a copy of the report because it might be needed for insurance purposes or reimbursement by a credit card company. If traveling abroad, contact the U.S. Embassy or consular officer to help navigate the process. They will understand how to navigate the local criminal justice system and are available 24/7.

22.?You have a healthcare emergency.?If you need emergency medical care in the U.S., dial 911, and the responding medic can transport you to the hospital. For instances outside the U.S., the U.S. State Department website maintains a list of the emergency numbers in foreign countries, and similar services

may be available. Be aware that your health insurance may not cover services obtained outside the U.S. and health insurance policies contain clauses about emergency medical care obtained out-of-network vary from policy to policy.?For less dire health care needs, contact your health insurance provider to see if there are any in-network providers within your vicinity.

23.?There is a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or political unrest.?In the unlikely event that there is some sort of large-scale disaster, get emergency medical care if necessary and then reunite with your traveling companions. Cell phone lines may not be working, so use social media as an alternate method to get in touch with them and your loved ones back home to let them know you are safe. Contact the airlines immediately to find out about schedule changes and attempt to find an earlier flight home. If possible, evacuating the area through ground transportation may be your best option to get to safety. If overseas, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for guidance and assistance. If you come across an area with a high concentration of police officers or other uniformed armed guards/government officials, consider this a clue that you are in a dangerous location. Make a mental note of possible egress routes, stay extra alert and guarded, or try to visit that area at a different time of day later.

24.?Roll with the punches and be flexible.?Adaptability is a skill needed and acquired through travel. Keep a view of the big picture and know your careful planning has prepared you to address the unexpected.

Following these tips can help you travel safely, but no matter how many precautions you take the unexpected can always happen. However, if the unexpected occurs, it is less likely to derail your trip because you will be ready to meet the challenges with greater confidence to handle whatever comes your way.

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