Discovering new places and expanding your horizons is what a journey is. What if you are nervous before the trip, on the road and after arriving in a foreign country, and this prevents you from relaxing and enjoying your adventures? Using some practical safety tips before and during your trip can save you the hassle and cancellation of plans.
1. Monitor your health
If you are allergic, be sure to find out how to spell and pronounce the name of the product and drugs to which you react in the language of the country you are visiting. Make cards with information and put them in pockets of clothes, leave notes on your phone, use a pendant or bracelet describing problems. Make sure you have all the medications you need, such as motion sickness pills, probiotics, pain relievers, antihistamines, and insect repellents. Check with your doctor and get the necessary vaccines before you travel. Make sure the medicines that are most important to you have their normal expiration dates.
2. Download area maps and online translators to your phone or tablet
Take care to download an offline country or city map and translator app before you travel. You don’t know in what situation you will find yourself and whether there will be the Internet.
3. Deceive a pickpocket with a bogus wallet
Don't "shine" your wealth. Whether it's cash or expensive gear, it will make you more attractive to scammers and pickpockets. Carry a dummy wallet with a little cash so you can give it away in case you get robbed. Of course, it would be better if such situations did not occur. Therefore, try not to walk alone in the dark and in disadvantaged areas. It is better to dress simply and not take jewelry, an expensive camera, or other valuable things with you.
4. Send scans of important documents to your email in advance
Before traveling, make copies of important documents (we are talking about a passport, insurance, visa, tickets, etc.) and send them to your email. Now, if you lose the originals, you can use electronic copies.
5. Don't leave receipts at the ATM
An ATM receipt can give scammers your location, your transactions, the balance on the card and its last digits, account numbers. In general, when withdrawing money, you should be careful:
• Make sure no one is watching you when you enter your PIN;
• Do not use poorly lit devices or those located in deserted areas;
• Do not count your money and do not view your belongings from the ATM.
If you plan on using your debit and credit cards, be sure to notify your bank in advance that you will be abroad. Find out ahead of time where is the best place to exchange your money for local currency, as there may be few ATM machines in some locations. In any case, always carry a small amount of cash with you.
6. Keep your belongings safe
Avoid carrying too many items of luggage and invest in a sturdy suitcase with a good lock. Try to choose one that does not stand out from the rest and does not "scream" that there is something really valuable inside. If you have carry-on baggage with you, never leave it unattended. Buy RFID-protected wallets to avoid identity theft.
7. Look for secure internet connections
When traveling, we mainly come across public internet in hotels, cafes and airports, which is not always safe. If there is no way to avoid using unsecured Internet connections, be careful when typing something on the keyboard. Try not to use email passwords and logins for websites, and never log into your online bank, work email, or other important accounts. Unless, of course, you are not sure about the reliability of the connections.
8. Check in on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th floor
It is believed that the safest rooms are between the 2nd and 4th floors. You can get to the first floor from the ground, but the above ones are not so easy. But in the event of a fire, you can still evacuate them without any problems.
9. Check the locks on all windows
Check the locks on windows and balcony doors upon arrival and every time you return from a walk, as the maid might open them and forget to close them again. If your room has an adjoining space, make sure the door between them is securely locked.
10. Place a Do Not Disturb sign on the door when you leave your room
When you leave your room, turn on your radio or TV and hang a Do Not Disturb sign on the door handle. By doing this, you will give potential thieves the impression that you are inside.
11. Try not to use the safe in the room
Hotel safes are easy to break. It will be very difficult to prove something. Therefore, ask at the reception, what other ways to store valuable things are offered.
12. Do not identify yourself out loud when registering
It is best to write down your name, phone number and any other necessary information on a piece of paper and hand it over to the hotel staff so that this information cannot be heard. Ask employees to write down your room number, not say it out loud.
13. Place a piece of tape or paper over the peephole
There were cases when people were followed and even filmed through the peepholes of their hotel rooms. Do not move into a room if the viewing hole is missing or damaged. For safety, cover the inside of the peephole with paper or tape.
14. Place the glass on the door handle
To feel completely safe at night in a budget hotel, place an empty glass on the doorknob. If a thief or a bully tries to enter, the object will fall - you will wake up.
But with what and how to put in a suitcase so that there is enough space for everything you need, a selection of useful tips will help.