Traveling can create some of the best memories of your life, especially if you are traveling abroad. However, like in the movie Taken, traveling can turn sour pretty quickly.
As much as some of us would love it, we all don’t have Liam Neeson as a father to get us back to safety when things go south. With that in mind, we’ve decided to compile a list of five travel tips to enjoy your vacation safely.
Email Your Travel Itinerary to Friends and Family
While traveling in numbers gives a certain level of safety, there are times in our lives where we want to take a solo trip. During those times, our level of safety drops.
Even though you are traveling alone, make sure that some of your family and friends have a general idea of where you will be. Your itinerary does not have to be 100% detailed, but a general layout of where you will be and where you are staying is important. Also, double check that they received it.
For example, if you are driving yourself to the airport and parking at JFK to save money, share your check-in confirmation of parking with those close to you. It will let your family and friends know that the start of your trip is going well.
Social Media Awareness
In today’s culture, it is very tempting to check into every location you are at. However, for your safety, do your best to not do so in complete detail. Sharing with the world that you are using JFK airport parking can tell some unsavory people that your car will be sitting at the airport for an extended period unattended.
Posting online may seem harmless, but you are revealing a lot. It’ll tell so many people where you are, who you are with, where you’re going, and what you are doing. This puts your safety at risk.
As you start to travel, do your best to check in from time to time. That way, your loved ones know you are alive and well. And if your plans change at all, they are fully aware.
See Also: Internet Access While Traveling: Tips for Keeping Your Data Safe
Food and Water Safety
One of the highlights of traveling is the local cuisine! Don’t be scared of new and funky things, especially from different cultures. Their dishes could end up being some of the best food of your life.
However, many of those that travel extensively do have some guidelines to stick to.
- Eat at popular places with a long line.
- If you have life-threatening allergies, pack translation cards to express them accurately.
- Try and stick to fruit that you can peel yourself.
- Fully cooked food is always the safest.
Also, it is highly recommended to purchase a filtered water bottle. This way, you can drink water almost anywhere without wasting money on buying bottled water. Your bottle will pay for itself in time and save the environment from even more plastic water bottles.
Arm Yourself with a Simple First Aid Kit
Getting an injury or a disaster striking while traveling can seriously put a damper on your vacation.
For your trip, be prepared with a basic first aid kit to treat minor injuries. Packing additional supplies such as pain killers, emergency space blankets, anti-histamine tablets, and bug spray can also ensure that you are prepared when something more drastic happens.
Know Where Your Local Embassy is Located
When traveling abroad, it is important that you know where your local embassy is located. It can help in situations of distress.
If you happen to get your passport stolen and you are an American citizen, it’s important to get to the closest American Embassy as soon as possible. That way, you can quickly start the process of getting your documents to be allowed back into the country.
While traveling is great, make sure to plan your trip and prioritize your safety. These tips on how to stay safe while traveling can help make sure that you get to enjoy your trip without worrying about your safety.
See Also: 10 Wonderful Benefits of Traveling