Travel Safe Travel Well
Who doesn’t love going on holiday? It’s a chance to get away from the routine of everyday life, unwind and relax, have new adventures and work on that tan. Planning your trip is a happy, exciting time, so the last thing on your mind is something going wrong.
Unfortunately in today’s world, terror attacks are on the rise giving us a stark reminder that anything can happen at any time. In addition to these types of dangers, you also have to think about the possibility of crime, falling ill and natural disasters.
While you can’t know if these things will happen to you, a little planning helps you be prepared if the worst happens, so you can cope like a pro.
Being a Victim of Crime
Having your money or passport stolen can be a nightmare when abroad. Unfortunately, tourists stand out and are targeted. If this happens to you, report it to the local police with as much information as possible. Depending on where you are, you may get a crime number to use with your insurance providers when making a claim. The next step is to contact the local embassy who can get you an emergency passport and advise on other situations.
If you are traveling with others, you have the safety net of borrowing cash and clothes from them. Traveling alone is a bit more challenging if you have everything taken. Your best bet is to always have a backup credit card or an alternative to have cash wired to you from a relative or a friend.
Don’t make yourself stand out by wearing shiny, expensive jewelry. Take care of your belongings at all times and don’t wander off, leaving your bag unattended. Make sure you have a picture of your passport stored on your smartphone. A smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S7 can be used to translate a foreign language by using one of the handy translator apps.
A Terror Attack Happens
The chances of this happening are slim, but with the rise of extremism around the world, these situations are happening more frequently. If this happens in an area you are traveling in, stay alert to updates on the news and focus on staying calm.
Prepare by having your local embassy’s numbers stored into your phone and written down. Know basic phrases in the local language or have a translator app stored on your phone. Sign up to receive travel alerts to your phone. Signing up to the smart traveler enrollment program will keep you in the know about any current situations where you are and could arrange evacuation assistance when needed.
You Become ill
Being ill when on holiday can be awful, but if you are prepared, you can minimize the stress. Make sure you have any repeat prescriptions you may need as finding the same in a foreign country can be hard or even impossible.
Purchase medical insurance before you travel and make sure you have copies of the policy and ID cards within easy reach. Research where local doctors are in the area you are staying in and check travel forums for any insight to their reputation. Make sure you have all the relevant travel vaccinations to protect you against any local diseases.
