Staying safe
This article is a travel topic.
There are some near-universal things you can do to stay safe when traveling. Many of these sound obvious, and are often things that you would do at home anyway. Some of these, however, you might ignore at home, being highly familiar with your surroundings. It's a good idea to remember them when travelling in unfamiliar territory.
Culture and History
- When traveling, don't take risks you wouldn't be comfortable taking at home. Be wary of possible threats wherever you are; relaxing on a warm beach can provide a false sense of security, and risks to personal safety may be just as common there as those common on a rainy commute. There is nowhere on the planet that is void of all safety risks.
- Gain knowledge about your destination in order to make yourself aware of risks. Take preventative steps that are proportional to the actual risks. (Car accidents claim the lives of more travelers than random acts of terrorism around the world do.)
- Don't assume that all dangerous areas will be fenced off or marked with signs, especially when stopping in or traveling through natural areas.
Tours & Getting around Staying safe
When on a bus or train:
- Stay near the driver/conductor/guard when getting on
When riding in a taxi:
- Use licensed cabs, rather than private cars (gypsy cabs). Even though they might be slightly more expensive.
- When riding alone, sit behind the driver where it is more difficult for him to threaten or harm you.
When using a car:
- Keep the car locked, including the trunk/boot—thieves can snatch bags at the traffic lights.
- Keep mobile phones, valuables out of sight—travel insurance may not cover items left in cars.
- Park in well lit places with no cover around the car—if there are bushes etc. thieves can work on the locks out of sight.
- Consider extending your insurance to cover all costs of window/windscreen replacement; it's not uncommon for thieves to just smash the glass to get in.
Staying safe attractions and sightseeing
Seeing the sights of the area will require you to get out of your hotel room and onto the streets, which in some areas carries a risk of violent crime.
- Keep your eyes open. If the area feels unsafe, is quiet, or if the area is heavily vandalized and there are groups of young people hanging around, avoid unnecessary risks and move on.
- Travel in a group, and look out for each other.
- If you are a victim of a fraud or scam, consider your circumstances carefully before aggressively confronting the scammer. A small monetary loss could escalate to something worse.
- Don't attempt to fight off a thief.
Staying safe souvenirs & shopping
In order to buy anything, you'll need money, which may make you a target for theft. To reduce your risks:
- Avoid looking like a target, don't flash wads of cash or wear expensive jewelry.
- Keep valuables in a hotel safe, and don't carry them with you when possible.
- Follow local advice as to safe areas.
- Have copies of the information/photo page of your passport. Leave your passport in the hotel safe if that is available and permitted.
- Have an additional credit card and some cash separate from your wallet. Split everything up in such a way that if one wallet gets stolen you can still enjoy the trip.
See also:
Staying safe Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive
- Avoid eating plants or fungi that you find in the wild.
Staying safe nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs
- Try not to get too drunk. The risk of being a victim of violent crime and sexual assault increases if you are intoxicated.
- Avoid accepting drinks, meals or gifts purchased for you. It can create an expectation in the giver, and can also expose you to drink spiking etc.
- Avoid going back to a stranger's house, hotel, or any other location. If you wish to socialize in this way, ensure you have a familiar, public, and safe location that you can nominate.
- Avoid purchasing drugs.
Stay healthy
- Always follow safe sex practices, and use a condom. The prevalence of AIDS varies between countries, but it exists everywhere, and unsafe sex will always be a lottery.
- Check with your doctor about disease exposure in the areas you will be visiting, and take appropriate precautions.
Contact
- Let someone back home know where you are, and when you will next be in touch.
- Leave copies of your passport and travel insurance details with someone at home.
This page was last edited at 05:07, on 13 November 2008 by Wikitravel user Looseleafvandal. Based on work by James Yolkowski, Ian Sergeant, Michele Ann Jenkins and Evan Prodromou, Wikitravel user(s) Dubbaluga and Pashley and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.
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