by Wayne Forster

Travel can be exciting, fulfilling, educational, and even life-changing. But it can also be disastrous and life threatening if you don’t pay attention to your personal safety and security, and the security of your possessions.

1. Know where you’re going

Thoroughly research your travel destination in advance. Check with the appropriate government department to see if there are any travel advisories for that area. Purchase travel guides or check travel reviews on line to identify safe tourist attractions. Book hotels in safe, reputable areas. Ask friends who have been to the same area for recommendations or advice.

2. Buy travel insurance

Definitely, definitely purchase travel insurance before going on a trip outside your home country. Even if you’re in the picture of health, you never know what can happen. And if you get sick or have an accident while travelling, and don’t have insurance, it can literally cost you a fortune to get medical treatment. You can also purchase insurance for any valuables you may be carrying with you, like a laptop or a camera.

3. Make copies of important documents

Always make hard copies of important documents when you travel; your passport, your driver’s license, debit/credit cards, and any entry visas you may be carrying. That way, if they ever get lost or stolen, you can still travel and make any necessary purchases. As an extra backup, scan your documents and email them to yourself. Keep hard copies of flight info and hotel accommodations in case your smartphone goes dead and you’re not able to recharge it.

4. Let your bank know you’ll be travelling

I’ve heard numerous stories of people trying to use their credit card when travelling and having the transaction blocked. Resolving the issue can take days. The problem can be avoided simply by letting your bank know before you leave where you will be going. Many banks allow you to do this online.

5. Mark your luggage so it stands out

Many pieces of luggage look the same, so it’s not unusual for people to grab your bag from the carousel before you notice. If you’re in a foreign country, your bag could be long gone before you realize it. To help prevent this from happening, mark your luggage to make it stand out. Tie a ribbon on it, or paste stickers, or have distinctive luggage tags. Or you can buy distinctively colored or designed luggage in the first place.

6. Pack a first-aid kit

It’s always a good idea to pack a basic first aid kit when you’re travelling. Nothing elaborate, just something compact with the essential first aid items – bandages, gauze, surgical tape, scissors, antibacterial creams, antiseptic wipes. Get them in waterproof cases.

7. Write down emergency numbers

In an emergency situation in Canada and the United States, we call 911. But only about 30 countries and territories around the world use the 911 emergency number. Be sure to know the emergency number(s) for the country you’re visiting. Record them on your smartphone. Write them on a card, laminate it, and put it in your purse or wallet. (Here’s a link to emergency numbers around the world.   Emergency numbers by country

8. Register with your embassy

Few people do this, but it’s a good idea to register with your own embassy when travelling to a foreign country. If an emergency happens, like a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, your embassy can contact you and apprise you of the situation. It’s not so much of an issue if you’re travelling with a tour group, or if you’re on a cruise, but when you’re travelling on your own, it can help you stay safe.

9. Be aware of your surroundings at all times

Whenever you are in an unfamiliar place, the first thing you should do is check your surroundings for any possible safety concerns. Identify any suspicious-looking people. Ensure you have an escape route should anything happen. If you’re feeling at all uncomfortable or threatened, get out of that area as quickly as possible. We don’t want to be paranoid, but we can’t enjoy our trip if we don’t feel safe.

10. Don’t draw attention to yourself

Thieves, pick pockets, and scammers choose their victims carefully. They look for the most vulnerable, like tourists with money and valuables, wandering around with their heads in the air gazing at some historic building. The less you look like a tourist, the safer you’ll be. That’s sometimes impossible when you’re travelling with a tour group to a known tourist attraction. But as much as possible, blend in. Avoid clothing that makes you look like a tourist. Don’t “flash your cash” when purchasing items. The less obvious you look, the less you’ll be a target.

11. Look confident

Keep your head up, walk with purpose, and don’t look afraid (even if you are). Project confidence in your body language and your speech. Again, attackers look for the most vulnerable targets, and if you look confident, that can deter them. With regard to eye contact, know the local cultural norms. In some cultures, making eye contact says that you’re confident and unafraid. In other cultures, it’s considered rude or antagonistic, and can invite trouble.

12. Use your smartphone as a safety device

If you’re walking after dark in an area where you may be concerned about your safety, especially if you are alone, pretend to be talking on your smartphone. This can help deter would-be attackers. As well, have emergency numbers on voice command. Your smartphone can also be used as a flashlight in unlit areas.

13. Travel in numbers

The more people around you when you’re travelling – whether people in your own party or fellow tourists – the safer you’ll be. If you’re travelling alone, try to make friends that you can safety tour with, or stick close to crowds. Crowds are deterrents for thieves and attackers, because they have a greater chance of being caught. It’s the old adage – safety in numbers. There’s one caveat: If you’re in a crowd where people are bumping into each other and jostling for space, watch your pockets. Pick pockets and thieves are experts at separating you from your cash and valuables in crowded areas.

14. Keep family and friends updated on your whereabouts

With smartphones, and text messaging, and applications like FaceTime and Skype, it’s easy and affordable to stay in touch these days – in real time – with family and friends. And it’s a smart thing to do from a safety perspective. Give your family and friends a copy of your itinerary before you leave, including flight and transportation details, where you’ll be staying, and your schedule. Check in with them regularly to let them know where you are, or if there have been any changes to your itinerary. At least that way, if something should happen to you, they can seek help as soon as possible.

15. Secure your hotel room

If you’re staying at a reputable hotel or inn, your room should be relatively secure. But there are things you can do to make it even safer. Lock and dead-bolt the door. Bring a wedge when they’re travelling that you can jam under the door for added security. Don’t let anyone into your room that you weren’t expecting, even if they say they are from the hotel. Instead, call down to the front desk to confirm who they are. If the room has a safe, use it to lock up your passport, documents, jewelry, and other valuables.

16. Hide emergency cash

With debit and credit cards, people carry a lot less cash these days than they used to. But when you’re travelling, some cash is necessary. Keep a nominal amount in your purse or wallet, and hide the rest on your person, either in a secure compartment or in your shoe. If you happen to be accosted by a thief at knife point or gunpoint (heaven forbid!), you can just give them your wallet or purse, and your losses will be minimal. If you’re travelling with a large amount of cash, keep most of it in your hotel safe or in a safety deposit box at a bank.

17. Don’t put anything in your back pockets

Pickpockets are specialists at removing objects from back pockets without the victim feeling a thing. Keep your wallet, smartphone, keys, money, and any small item of value in your front pockets. It’s much more difficult (though not impossible) for a pickpocket to steal from your front pockets. Although some people don’t like them, you can also wear a money belt for added security.

18. Secure purses and shoulder bags

Never sling the strap of your purse or shoulder bag over just one shoulder. It makes it too easy for a thieve to snatch and run, even if you think you’re holding on tight. Instead, sling the strap over your head so that the strap is on one shoulder and the body of the purse/bag is in front of you, or under your opposite arm.

19. Watch out for tourist scams

It’s distressing, but the reality of life today is that there are all kinds of unsavory people trying to scam trusting tourists out of their hard-earned money and valuables. Some scams are pretty easy to spot, but there are some very creative scammers out there who can fool even the most street-smart person. My rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here is a link to the most common tourist scams. Common travel scams

20. Ask your hotel for advice on safe spots to visit

Hotel staff are usually a reliable source of information about safe places to visit nearby, and places you should stay away from. They can also give you information on reliable and safe forms of transportation, and how much taxi fares should be to specific destinations, so you don’t get hosed by some unscrupulous cabbie.

21. Don’t share too much info with strangers

When you’ve travelling, it’s part of the experience to interact with the locals and get a feel for the local culture. Just be careful that you don’t give away too much information to total strangers who may not be trustworthy. For example, don’t give details of your itinerary. Also be suspicious of someone who asks you, unsolicited, what hotel you’re staying in. Just give them the name of a hotel you’re not staying in.

22. Stay close to your luggage

It takes only seconds for an unattended bag to be snatched by a thief. Stay close to your luggage and keep it in sight at all times. If your luggage is going to be sitting in the same spot for any length of time, you can use an elastic strap or piece of rope to tie bags together, or secure them to an immovable object, making it almost impossible for them to be stolen. Be particularly careful with smaller items, like computer bags and backpacks.

23. Ensure food and water are safe

Enjoying local food is one of the pleasures of travelling. But contracting food poisoning can ruin your entire vacation. Food and water safety is critically important when travelling. Ask your hotel staff about safe places to eat (with good food, of course). Read on-line reviews. Look for places that are popular. To avoid bacteria, eat only fruit that can be peeled. Buy bottled water instead of drinking tap water.

24. Party sensibly

You’re on vacation to have a good time, but remember to party sensibly. If you get too drunk, or too high, you could become a target for thieves or attackers, especially if you’re travelling alone. Women especially can be victimized by sexual predators. Be aware of how much you’re consuming, stay hydrated, and make sure you’re in control of your actions.

25. Trust your instincts

When all is said and done, self-awareness is the most important factor in staying safe when travelling. Be aware of what is going on around you. Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe, don’t brush it off as just being “silly”. Take action to protect yourself.

A final note

The tips above are designed to help you travel safely. But you don’t want to be so worried about your personal safety that you’re afraid to go anywhere, to experience new things, to venture into the unknown. It’s a balancing act, weighing risk versus reward. We all have our own tolerance levels for the unfamiliar, and we select our travel experiences accordingly. And one other point. We can never be 100% safe, whether we’re travelling or we’re at home. Things happen. All we can do is lower the odds.