Unfortunately, in today’s world, it is necessary to take some precautions to keep yourself safe while traveling. Traveling is intended to be fun and relaxing but there are those that will try to take advantage of your relaxed and “touristy” state. Simple distractions like taking a photograph or attending to the needs of a child can open an opportunity for someone with less than good intentions.
Here are some simple ways you can protect yourself while on your journey.
Check out your vehicle before you go
Make sure your vehicle is in top running order. This will allow you to arrive to your destination safely and minimize the need to utilize your vehicle emergency kit. You don’t want to be stranded with a broken down vehicle in the middle of nowhere in the rain.
Want to know the things to check before you go? Check out our article here.
Check the weather too
Take a quick look at the forecast for any possible weather issues along your journey. It makes for an easier drive if you are mentally prepared for what may lay ahead. We all know that weather forecasting is not a perfect science, but it is getting better all the time.
Have a vehicle emergency kit in your vehicle
A vehicle emergency kit is a little like vehicle insurance, it can provide piece of mind and serve to keep you safe, calm, warm, and dry. There are many options for kits you can buy but we suggest you build your own to fit your needs.
See what we keep in our kit here.
Whether you decide to buy a kit or build one, it is important to make sure you understand what you have in it, that it is up-to-date (non-expired items), and fully stocked. Don’t forget to rotate things like non-perishable foods and water on a regular basis to keep them fresh.
Research your destinations and set up reservations ahead of time.
There is some level of excitement to jumping in the ole family truckster and hitting the open road on a whim. That excitement could easily turn into a nightmare if you find yourself looking for a safe place to sleep at 1 am in the morning, or arriving at your destination to find that they are closed for maintenance for 2 weeks.
Whether you are following along on some of our journeys or striking out completely on your own, it is a great idea to set up a plan for your trip. Part of the planning should be to research your destinations – hotels, museums, restaurants, events, etc. There are a ton of on-line services that can help you with this research as well as allow you to make reservations and buy tickets.
Always lock your vehicle and hotel doors.
Have you ever heard the saying “good locks make good neighbors?” This is not to say that all people are bad but rather to say that if you lock your vehicle or door, it is less likely good people will be tempted to do bad things. Locking your vehicle when you get out and keeping your hotel door locked whether you are in the room or not are just good habits to get into when traveling. Keeping valuables hidden out of sight when leaving your vehicle is also good advice. Don’t provide motivation for someone to make you a target.
Keeping your hotel door locked provides a better level of security while you rest and relax. There are devices that you can purchase to augment the locks on hotel and motel doors. Items that can provide extra security while you are sleeping and better warning when someone tries to enter your room uninvited.
Be aware of where you are and your surroundings.
“What a great picture that would be to post!” “What an awesome sunset!” “We can use that for our holiday card.” We have heard these types of statements a bunch of times in our travels. But, if you let your guard down to snap the perfect picture, you could be opening yourself up for trouble. Keep an eye on your personal property at all times and use good judgment when asking strangers to take your group’s photograph. A part of the joy of traveling is the opportunities it offers for you to meet new people. But if someone near you is acting suspiciously, or if you feel uncomfortable, leave the area immediately.
Keep important documents / papers with you at all times and secured.
This may seem like common sense but when we were younger, we went on a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas with some friends. We brought our passports but they brought originals of their birth certificates. When we went ashore for a day excursion we took our passports with us while our friends left them in their luggage. Upon returning, our friends realized that someone had come into our locked cabin and stole their birth certificates…what a nightmare! They never found out who stole them and never got them back.
This just goes to illustrate that no matter where you are and no matter how well you hide these things, they can be found. Don’t leave these types of documents in your hotel room, glove box of your car, etc. Thieves can and do find them. Instead, keep them in a secure place on your person or in a bag with anti-slash strapping.
Share your route with family or a close friend.
Keeping your family or a close friend “in the loop” about your journey can provide an additional level of safety for you. Before you leave, share your itinerary with them and check in with them regularly. Let them know if you will be out of touch for longer than normal so they don’t get worried or alert authorities. Checking-in can be as simple as a text message or a phone call and should only take a few minutes.
wear a medical necklace or bracelet with your medical condition(s) on it.
If you have a medical condition, it would be wise to wear a medical necklace or bracelet to give medical workers information in case you are unable to speak for yourself. We use ones that allow the EMS provider, doctor, or nurse to scan a personal QR Code go to a web site and enter an ID to get that information. You can control the level of information shared, including a list of emergency contacts you would like notified.
Don’t keep all of your money / credit cards in one location.
This is one of those “duh” items but it bears sharing. If all of your money and credit cards are in your wallet or purse and it gets lost or stolen, you are out of luck! Using items like a money belt or under clothing “safe” are discreet and can be real life savers. There is even special underwear you can by with secret compartments in them for holding values.
Look like you “belong”
If you are traveling to places where many tourists go, it can make you especially vulnerable to crime. Try to blend in as much as you can without overdoing it. Choose clothing that won’t attract unwanted attention, try to dress more local.
If you need to ask for directions, approach people cautiously or look for a local tourist information locations, nearly every state and many cities have one. Tourist information locations are also a great source for things to do during your travels. They usually have someone there able to answer questions and provide directions in a friendly, well-lit, and safe environment.
Consider investing in gear that will help prevent pickpocketing and theft. Utilizing a money belt or anti-slash bag can be good investments – you can purchase anti-theft backpacks as well.
Choose your locations to visit wisely.
If you have done your research ahead of time, choosing the locations to visit can be easy. Always make sure the locations you choose to visit can provide a secure atmosphere for you; that may mean you need to visit these places during the day or on a weekday. Part of your planning might include looking a crime statistics for that location’s neighborhood or visiting travel review web sites to get a better picture of when to visit.
If necessary, make sure your location choice can accommodate any special needs you may have – mobility assistance, hearing assistance, ATM, available food, etc.
Remember this is about safety and comfort for you and your fellow travelers.
Watch how much alcohol / drugs you consume.
Everyone wants to have a good time while traveling and for some that includes the use of alcohol and/or drugs. Personally, we are not big fans of the whole drug thing but that is not the point. Overconsumption of alcohol can impair you to the point where your safety could be compromised; same with drugs. Similarly, never let anyone but a bartender / server bring you a drink. You can not guarantee that it has not been laced with something, allowing you to fall prey to a bad actor or land you in the hospital (or worse) – especially while away from home.
always Trust your “gut.”
Have you ever been somewhere and felt like you were being watched? Maybe it was a weird feeling that something just wasn’t right, that the atmosphere was unusual. We have all been in those situations before; sometimes they don’t amount to anything but often times they do. Trust your “gut” feeling, your sixth sense, or whatever you may call it. If it doesn’t feel right to you, it is time to move on. If you think you are being followed, go somewhere public for a short time, look around at the people around you, don’t go back to your hotel room or anyplace that could put you at risk of danger.
Conclusion
We hope that we have provided some insight on traveling safely on your journey. Don’t let the possibility of an issue keep you from traveling, but by following some common sense style guidelines, you can have a great time while still traveling smartly and safely.
Enjoy the journey! – Rob and Trish