Well, safety is one of the key things you need to consider when you are travelling. Since I am a frequent traveller, I would like to give you practical tips related to safe travelling applicable across the world.
I believe there are no bad and good countries, crime can take place anywhere and it always helps when you are well-prepared for it.
Here, are the top 7 safety tips that as a backpacker you should consider while you are travelling
1. Know Self-Defense Moves
No matter where you live, you can take your self-defense classes everywhere. There are various benefits including – you get to become familiar with various strategies and the ways in which you can defend yourself against the attacker. You will not always come across a trained criminal, but the chances are high you may come across a thug aiming at your purse or any other valuable item you might be carrying.
2. Get Those Hidden Pockets
Make sure you have avoided money belt, I commonly see most of the travellers carrying it, make sure you have not committed the same mistake. Instead, you can sew hidden pockets in your trousers, so that you can easily carry all your valuables such as a purse, passport, credit cards, and most importantly cash.
These hidden pockets are easy to hide in your trousers’ legs. Don’t worry if you are not good at tailoring, not everyone is. Make sure you get it done from your tailor before you head out for your expedition.
3. Don’t Forget To Carry Your Travel Medical Kit
No matter where you are travelling to, you never know what is in store for you and having a medical kit always come handy. Using the internet, make sure you have collected all the data regarding the health conditions for a particular destination such as Africa and update your medical kit accordingly. Make sure you carried a sunscreen, antiseptic, bandages, and a hand sanitiser. Avoid bulking your medical kit.
4. Make Sure You Carry Doorstop And Cable Lock
A doorstop is a cheap device to carry and it really helps you while travelling. All you need is to stick it under the door of your hotel room during the night, this will prevent someone breaking in while you are asleep. You can lose your keys, nowadays locks can be easily jiggered, but if you have a doorstop, you can keep the door intact. As far as a cable lock is concerned, it will help you to lock all your valuable stuff to an immovable object such as a bed. You can make a choice from a number of cable locks out there.
5. Don’t Flash The Cash
Well, you don’t even try doing it in your backyard and certainly avoid doing while you are travelling. Even if you have the latest model of iPhone, make sure you don’t keep in your hand all the time. Females avoid wearing expensive jewellery, these are some clear signs you have a lot of money and you can easily become a target.
When it comes to cash, make sure you have divided in varied hidden places, but make sure you remember where you have kept them. When you divide your cash, you will reduce your chances of losing all your money, in case of any unfortunate incident. Having an expenditure plan will help you keep only that much money with you and rest you can keep it in the hotel.
You should carry the things you will need while travelling in a foreign land. I will recommend having a cheaper phone and use it more often to attend or make a call. Your clothes also say a lot about your lifestyle. Avoid wearing fancy and flashy clothes.
6. Stay Alert
While you are travelling in a foreign country, it can become quite distracting. You can easily become overwhelmed to be in a new place and the tourist attractions you get to see there and suddenly all the safety concerns get the back seat. Make sure you don’t let this happen to you. You can chit-chat with the locals & your guide about the local muggers and various techniques they use. Yes, it is advisable to be as friendly as you can but avoid becoming an open book. Make sure you have the company of your guide all the time.
Keep an eye on the people and most importantly on your belongings, so you can prevent yourself from becoming an easy target of the pickpocketers. Keep checking them at regular intervals. You must have heard that famous saying – In Rome do as the Romans do. This will certainly save you from attracting any wrong attention.
7. Buy Medical Insurance
It is not that expensive as you think. The best thing about having a medical insurance is that in case you fall sick, get injured, or come across any other medical emergency, at least you know that your insurance company will cover all your medical expenses while you are travelling. In addition, there are various other benefits of having a travel insurance, such as –
● Outpatient care – These are the services you get outside of a hospital, including – outpatient surgery centres, visit to the physician, and home health services.
● Prescription drugs – Health insurance also covers the medications prescribed by your physician. Usually, generic versions of the drugs are covered if they are available.
● Paediatric services – This covers medical benefits for the kids and infants. Preventive services will comprise of immunisation and recommended vaccines.
