Staying Safe Is As Important As Having Fun on Vacation
Most people have been dealing with a lack of travel. Soon, it’s time for a much-needed vacation filled with adventure, relaxation, good food, and excitement. The task of planning a vacation is easier when you make a list to follow such as choosing a destination, booking a hotel, booking a flight, and setting up transportation arrangements.
During the planning stages of your vacation don’t forget to implement safety measures. Start by researching the area the hotel you will be staying in is located in a safe part of the city. Conduct online research about the airport and the crime in the surrounding area to get a better understanding of what you can expect when you arrive.
If you are traveling internationally check the country of your choice for updated travel information and health requirements and guidelines. When vacationing abroad, make sure you find out where the local U.S. embassy is located in case of an emergency. The following travel safety tips will help you enjoy your vacation while staying safe.
1 - Carry Your Travel Documents in a Safe Place
Purchase a small and slender cross-body bag or purse with a long strap. Put your important travel documents inside such as your state identification card, driver's license, passport, and any other paperwork you need for your trip into the purse. Keep this bag with you at all times to prevent someone from taking your documents. Once you reach the hotel you can put the documents in a safe in the hotel room for safekeeping.
2 - Leave Your Designer Luggage at Home
You probably spent a lot of money on your designer luggage and it looks beautiful. However, it makes you a target at airports and hotels. Your designer luggage can attract the wrong type of attention such as those looking to steal from someone who has a lot of money. The type of luggage is the main clue to spotters at an airport that a person has more money than others with basic or standard luggage.
3 - Use Social Media as a Tool
Traveling can be scary when you learn about kidnappings, human trafficking, and other horror stories. You can use your social media accounts such as Facebook and Instagram to share your journey and alert your followers where you are located. You can also be upfront about the situation and ask your followers to please keep an eye out on your posts to make sure you arrive at each destination such as the airport, hotel, and attractions at the time you are expecting to arrive. This helps your followers pinpoint if there is a problem and alert authorities quickly.
4 - Beware of Public WiFi
Free internet access is usually available at hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, outdoor areas, and sometimes at local parks. Hackers are always trying to steal private information like accessing your bank account information, social security number, or credit card numbers. If you plan to use free WiFi during your vacation, make sure you set up a VPN or virtual private network that will allow you to travel with peace of mind and access the internet securely.
5 - Make Your Hotel Room Safe
There are usually deadbolt locks and other types of locks on hotel room doors. However, it’s best to take a few extra safety measures such as placing the Do Not Disturb sign on the outside of your door to prevent housekeeping from entering while you are in the shower or bathroom. Also, keep the windows and blinds closed if the hotel room faces a hallway where other hotel guests can look directly into your room.
Staying safe during your vacation and using the helpful tips above will allow you to relax and have fun on vacation. Always stay aware of your surroundings, don’t walk to a second destination with strangers you just met and don’t expose how much money or credit cards you have in your wallet. Keep things private and focus on your vacation while at the same time staying safe and happy.
