To some people, especially to those who haven't had much of an opportunity to in the past, traveling can be a slightly scary process. Think about it. You're in an unfamiliar environment, where you may not speak the language, may possibly be lost, and are usually carrying something valuable (even if it's money) on your person. To a potential thief, this creates the perfect target. Here's a few travel safety tips to help ease your mind and allow to you travel (safely) like a pro!
1. Write Down Important Numbers
It's really important to have a backup of everything when you travel, and the same goes for important numbers you may need. Write on a sheet of paper (with no labels) your passport number, a few important phone numbers (including the emergency number for whatever city you're in), your credit card number, the number for your bank, and the number for the Embassy (I'll speak more about the Embassy later). Put this in a safe and secure location - NOT in your wallet. If your wallet or purse is stolen, having access to these numbers can assist you in freezing your credit card or getting a new passport, saving you valuable seconds that can make all the difference.
2. Have a Copy of Your Passport
Again, do not keep this where you keep your actual passport. In case someone takes your passport, this (along with a photocopy of another valid government issued photo ID) can really expedite the process of you getting a new passport. Instead of being delayed at least a week, you could only be delayed 3 days or so.
3. Know Where the Closest Embassy in the Country is
This one is really important. Write down the address and phone number of where the Embassy is in whatever country you're going to. If you lose your passport, this is where you go. If you get arrested, call the Embassy. Their job is to make sure that Americans abroad come home safely. 99% of the time, you will write this down and never look at it again. The 1% of the time you do need it though, you'll be very grateful that you have it, and you won't be wasting time trying to track the address down.
4. Do a Little Research
It's always helpful to know where you're going before you get there. Don't kill yourself trying to figure this out, but just a do a quick Google search for "is [enter city here] safe?". The results will bring up any particular places you need to be aware of (La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain is categorized as one of the most interesting streets in the world, but also one with one of the highest rates of theft) and will help you determine how careful you should be. Of course, always keep a bit of an eye on your home country's watch list and use common sense (for example, as an American, would I go to the Middle East right now? No).
5. Keep Your Stuff Secure
This could include a lot of things. Ladies, instead of wearing a shoulder bag, use a crossbody instead. Keep it on the side of your body away from the street (people in cars/ on motorcycles can cut the straps and easily pull it away from you). Crossbodies are also smaller, so you can keep your hand on them, and can either be worn to the side or the front (as the situation demands). Always pack backpacks with the least valuable items the furthest away from your body. Guys, keep your wallet in your front pocket, rather than your back. In a questionable area, wear backpacks on your front. These are all basic things that can make the difference between you being the target of a thief.
6. Have a Spare Wallet
I know what you're thinking: "what?" Really, this is one of the most important tips I have. If you're being mugged or someone demands your wallet, it's really important to have a spare with a couple bills of the currency in it (nothing too large- in America, I would put in 2 $1 bills, in England maybe a 5 pound note and a couple small coins), a picture cut out from a newspaper, and maybe a spare metro card or something that doesn't have any personal information on it. If someone approaches you and demands your wallet, throw the spare one away from you. Once they go to get it, run as far and as fast as you can towards the nearest crowded area. Chances are, the mugger will be more preoccupied with the wallet than with you.
7. Don't Help Out
Ok, I'll admit that this one sounds really awful. However, this could definitely be what keeps you safe in a foreign city. If people ask you to hold or watch bags, refuse. They could either hold something dangerous or they could steal your bag while you're busy holding theirs. Don't go with people if they ask you to come somewhere with them, even if it sounds like they need help. The dangers of that one are fairly self-explanatory. If you plan on giving money to street musicians or beggars, keep it in a separate place than your main cash source; sometimes, people have rings that will watch where you pull your money from, distract you, and then rob you later. It goes against the grain, for me at least, to not help someone in need, but when you're traveling, you have to look out for yourself first before others.
8. Travel With Friends
There's an old saying: "Theres safety in numbers". If anything, this is even more true abroad. The more people there are in a group, the less likely they are to be susceptible to theft or mugging. In a group, people watch out for each other, and people are less likely to approach people in a group. Also, there's the added benefit of being friends with the people you travel with- I promise you will have a lot more fun than if you travel on your own (unless you like that sort of thing).
9. Come Up With A Plan
Plan to stay in contact with at least one person from home, somehow. If they haven't heard from you in a certain period of time, have them attempt to call you, and if they can't reach you, then have them call the Embassy to alert them that you're missing. The plan that I have with one of my friends is that if she doesn't hear from me, either through text or call, or doesn't see me post on social media for more than 3 days, then attempt to contact me. The use of social media in this can be really helpful as well. If you're somewhere where you post often, its a good way to share pictures, but also it allows your contact to make sure you're ok without taking too much time out of their day. Especially in more dangerous countries, this is an absolute must and if you have a plan like this, if something does happen, this will ensure that people are looking for you.
10. Be Aware That You're a Tourist
This is perhaps the most important one on this list. Be very aware that you are a tourist in a foreign country, and as such, you are automatically more of a target, because you are likely to be wealthy, you may not speak the language, and you are more likely to not have friends in the country. If you are aware of your status, this leads to a heightened vigilance on your part, which will most likely keep you safer. Either way, better to be safe than sorry!
Traveling always involves a bit of risk, but if you do it right and safe, then it's the most amazing experience. So go out there, enjoy the world and all it has to offer, and remember... Constant Vigilance!
*Harry Potter nerds, yes, that was a reference to Professor Moody*
