International travels to some people is a venture they would not undertake, fearing that it is dangerous. They forget that there are more exciting things than just travelling abroad. One of them is the experience you learn and get from all the beautiful cultures that make up our world. If only everyone who has the desire to travel and will utilize safety precautions, then every traveller can be assured that his trip will be successful and remains a joyous one. Here are 12 top precautions for international
travellers.
1. Get a check-up and appropriate vaccines
Make sure that you understand the health concerns of the country you are planning to visit and avoid any forms of plastic surgery, even breast surgery. To ensure that you are healthy enough to travel abroad, never forget to have a physical check-up before your trip. You must immunized before your trip, so make sure that you know the immunizations you need, for numerous worldwide travel destinations do require vaccinations.
2. Make electronic copies of your documents
When travelling abroad, don’t forget that you’ll be carrying all the necessary documentation you need on your trip. These are your immunization record, itinerary, medical insurance card, passport, plane tickets, travel insurance and visas. Email yourself an electronic back-up out of these files and keep all those important records in your inbox. Regardless what happens, you can access the information from your smartphone.
3. Don’t carry everything together
When you travel, try to separate things and identify those that you should carry always. Refrain from putting all your cash, credit cards, identification and traveler’s checks in one place. Credit cards, ID’s, checks and any money you won’t be using must be locked in your hotel room safe. Money and other identifying items must be segregated or separated from each other when you carry them. And they must be placed in the different spots on your person. If somebody steals your wallet, this safety tip prevents you from losing everything.
4. Don’t carry things in your back pocket
In specific areas around the world, pickpocketing is common, and pickpockets have been known to target tourists. Avoid placing your wallet, small purse, hotel room keys or anything small enough to fit in your back pocket. Being cautious won’t make you an easy target for the swift hand of a pickpocket.
5. In fact, keep items to your front
Men or women usually have the habit of hanging their purse or shoulder bags on the back of chairs where they sit even on a sidewalk, or just place their bags at their feet. This habit is very dangerous. It can’t be avoided that once a person is new to a place; his or her attention can be caught by the activities or the new sights around that person. So, never forget to place your things at your front like bags on your lap, or with the straps around your legs, the bags must be at the front of your feet under the table.
6. Look back when leaving
People do have the tendency to leave personal items behind at times they are excited or in a hurry to move on to their next destination. Always remember; never forget to look back where you were sitting, even if you’ve just had a blepharoplasty, just to make sure you didn’t leave anything valuable behind, like your purse, shopping bags or anything else of importance.
7. Leave the “BLING” at home
Wear your favorite jewellery throughout your trip or take pictures with that new, costly camera can be dangerous. If you tour your international destination overdressed and wearing all sorts of expensive jewellery, you will definitely become a target for muggers. Keep it simple and minimize taking expensive things along when visiting new places, and hide your camera in a case when you aren’t using it.
8. Don’t talk to strangers
When exploring new places, you are bound to talk to locals and other people. But make sure not get carried away. Do not trust strangers with your personal information. Think about what you say to your children and stick to your advice. Be cautious with strangers who don’t look trustworthy. Avoid accepting food or drink from them, and do not go somewhere with people you don’t know.
9. Don’t solicit panhandlers
Poverty, like social cancer has affected many areas in many nations. This is the main reason why proper tour guides are needed to help travellers for it is crucial not to traverse these areas without their help for these local tour guides are the ones who are familiar with these places. Giving beggars some cash or even a piece of your jewellery is greatly discouraged. Yes, there are some who just love to share and help those who are in need. Finding ways to aid the poverty stricken in the land you are visiting is commendable, but do it by doing some research on local charities and donate that way.
10. Don’t try to be a hero
If, unfortunately you become a victim of a mugging accident, remember the flip side of the previous tip – and that is – don’t try to be a hero. Give your belongings up and don’t attempt to fight the perpetrator. All those valuable things that you carry like cash, credit cards, identification and traveller’s checks – fall prevention is your main objective, and these are not worthy of an injury which you might get while trying to protect yourself and much more even death. Give the items up quickly, and once you’re safe, proceed to the nearest U.S. consulate or appropriate authority to report the incident.
11. Avoid using your credit cards at Internet cafes:
Most travellers can easily update their friends and families at home of their adventure via the Internet. Internet Cafes sprout anywhere especially in the places that are tourists destinations. But, this gives way for the criminals to commit identity theft, knowing Internet cafes are trendy among travellers. An Internet cafe is the perfect place where a traveler can easily grab a cup of coffee while emailing the latest details of one’s adventure to family and friends. So, use cash when you pay for the computer you use in Internet cafes, for criminals keep a wary eye and use Keylogger Software on the computers in Internet cafes to obtain your credit card information.
12. Be properly insured
Many people have a misconception that insurance is not important. Some health insurance companies might offer coverage for international travel, but most of them don’t cover injury prevention, fall prevention, potential illness, or even death entirely when you are on foreign soil. It is important to get insurance for your belongings too, for the simple reason that anything might happen to them. So before leaving for a trip, make sure that you, your fellow travellers, and everything you are taking on the trip is properly insured.
