The world isn't dangerous or unsafe.
Quite the opposite. There are some desperate places and people, even in
your home town, but these are a minority. In fact, you're more likely to
get into trouble at home than travelling if you follow these common
sense tips on your trips.
1. Back (packer) glance
Get in the habit of looking back when you get up to leave somewhere.
Travel is very distracting, and you're probably carrying more stuff than
when you're at home, so you're more likely to leave a jacket or journal
at that Parisian cafe table where you were people watching.
2. Separate your sources of money
You know how you keep all your bank cards in your wallet/purse when
you're at home? Well, don't do this while you're travelling. Keep at
least one in a different place, preferably not on your person. If you
lose all your cards on the road it is very difficult to get
replacements, and being without money in Timbuktu can be kind of unfun.
3. Don't keep your wallet/purse in your jeans' back pocket
To avoid being pickpocketed, keep your wallet in your front pocket,
especially a pocket that can be buttoned up. Best of all, use the inside
pocket of your jacket. There are also a load of different 'money belts'
(see examples here)
that either hang inside your shirt or wrap around your waist (under
your shirt), etc. Make sure it's waterproof because travelling can often
be sweaty/perspiring work. I'd advise against the bum
bag/fanny pack varieties. There is no better way to advertise the fact
that you have a load of valuables on you...and, of course, they were
never ever cool.
4. Scan all your major documents
Scan your travel documents and email them to yourself. It was
traditional to photocopy your passport and visas, travel insurance etc,
and keep them in a separate part of your luggage. But that's old school.
These days, digital is best - that way your documents won't go missing
even if your bags do.
5. Don't trust strangers who wear turtle neck/polo neck tops
Only kidding about the turtle necks. It is hard to get to know the
locals at a destination if you don't trust them, but there are limits to
how much you should trust them when it comes to your personal safety
(going with them into a risky area of town), money, and consuming their
food or drink (if they are not consuming it themselves). Do a search on
Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree
forum for the latest scams that travellers have reported for where you
are going. Also, look at the 'Dangers and Annoyances' sections in your Lonely Planet guidebook and ask your hotel/hostel staff for safety tips.
6. Get travel insurance
This is mainly for health costs if you get ill or injured while
abroad. Hospital costs can quickly get into the tens of thousands of
dollars, even for a minor injury. Insurance is worth it. We recommend
these guys.
7. Get vaccinated
Visit your doctor before you leave to get all the relevant
vaccinations/immunisations for the destinations you're visiting, and to
learn what health precautions you should follow.
8. Avoid PDAs
I mean Public Displays of Affluence (not affection).
If you're travelling abroad then you're more than likely to be richer
than most of the locals, but advertising this fact by wearing gold
jewellery or carrying a $2000 camera around your neck is not advisable.
It makes you a target for thieves. Leave your jewellery at home and keep
your camera in a bag when you're not using it.
9. Some things are best perfected at home
It may seem like a breeze, but be advised that teaching yourself to
ride a motorbike or jet ski in a foreign country is probably unwise. In
Thailand, for instance, 38 people a day die in scooter accidents. Nb
some travel insurance policies won't cover scooter-related injuries.
10. Check the fine print and certificates of instructors
If you're doing a specialist course (scuba diving) or something risky
(bungee jumping) then check the operators have legitimate
qualifications and a good safety record. There's usually a reason a
course is cheaper than the others. PADI has a list of qualified diving
operators here.
11. Don't leave your belongings unattended in public spaces
This is so obvious that I am embarrassed to mention it, but people do
it all the time. Most notably, travellers leave their bags at their
feet or hanging from the back of chairs when they're at cafes or
restaurants. Either keep them on your lap or wrap its strap around your
leg.
12. Give it up
There is a simple rule that people find hard to follow: if you are
mugged, give over your wallet, watch etc. This shouldn't be a problem if
you have insurance and you've left all your irreplaceable stuff (eg
grandma's necklace) at home. Just do it, and walk away uninjured.
13. Don't give to beggars
There are exceptions to this rule, such as monks seeking alms. But,
in general, don't give away money to people on the street. Apart from
the fact that you may have to get your wallet/purse out, encouraging
begging is not the most efficient use of your money (and goodwill). If
you want to help out then do some volunteer work in the destination or
donate some money to a local charity for the homeless or loan some money
to a poor entrepreneur via Kiva.
14. Be wary of using your credit card at an internet cafe
Internet cafes' computers may have keylogger
software or hardware that records your key strokes, so unscrupulous
characters (not necessarily the owners of the cafe) can see the username
and password to your online accounts (banking, email etc) or grab your
credit card details. A good trick to make this more challenging for them
has been proposed by Thorn Tree user Karlo:
open a couple of other browser windows (for the website you are using)
and half way through entering your passwords or credit card information
type incorrect information into these windows.
15. Don't pat stray dogs and cats
This is more of a 'note to self' than to you, after a stray dog tried
to pull my thumb off in Buenos Aires. You may be missing your pets at
home, but stray animals may be carrying rabies and other fun infections
(and big teeth). You should also not feed monkeys, for the same reason.
(Pictured above is me with an affectionate Siamese cat in Bangkok — who
belonged to this store owner.)
16. Your worst enemy may be your travel companion
Often your travel companions will take risks that compromise your
safety. They'll ask for help from people that you wouldn't go near,
they'll aggravate a situation with arrogance, or they'll break any
number of the no-nos mentioned above. Don't submit to their peer
pressure. Stand your ground. And if they continue to be unsafe then
consider parting ways.
This article was first published in May 2010 and was republished in January 2013.
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