By skyforbes Staying safe whilst travelling is something we often don’t think about and we don’t plan for. But we should! Let’s face it though – it’s not the exciting part of the trip. The last thing you want to be doing before a trip is thinking about the things that could go wrong. You want to be researching amazing adventures you can go on. There are so many things that can go wrong with a trip though and it’s important to be prepared for these.
If you’ve travelled anywhere particularly touristy you will have more than likely come across a tourist scam. One that comes to mind for me is when I was wondering around Paris and a man came up to me trying to put a friendship bracelet on my wrist. He told me it was a gift and kept trying to put it on my wrist even though I’d polietly declined. This is a well known scam and they get the bracelet on your wrist then pester you to pay for it. It’s something I knew about so didn’t fall for it. It’s important to do a little research about common scams at your destination beforehand and trust your instinct.
Theft always seems to be on the rise. Pickpocketing has gotten so sophisticated that even seasoned travellers can fall victim. I used to carry a regular backpack until I noticed how easy it was for someone to unzip it in a crowd (yep, it happened to me at a train station in Barcelona). That’s when I invested in an anti-theft backpack with hidden zippers and slash-proof material. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until it happens, but it’s worth every penny.
There are no end of different emergencies that can happen whilst travelling and when you’re abroad, even minor issues can feel overwhelming. I once got food poisoning in a country where I didn’t speak the language. Finding a pharmacy was an adventure in itself! Since then, I always pack a small first-aid kit and a few over-the-counter medications, just in case. Plus, I make sure I have travel insurance with coverage for medical emergencies. It’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need but will be incredibly grateful for if you do.
Ultimately, staying safe while traveling isn’t about living in fear; it’s about taking simple, practical steps to protect yourself. Things like locking your hotel door with a portable lock, using RFID-blocking wallets and keeping a copy of your passport handy are small actions that can make a big difference. And don’t forget to share your itinerary with someone back home – it’s a simple way to ensure someone knows where you are if plans go wrong.