Think ahead and learn about your journey. Knowledge of local customs, legal systems and typical ways of doing things can prevent misunderstandings.

Tip:

• Check government travel advisories for safety updates.
• Research areas to avoid especially at night.
• Learn the numbers of the local police, medical assistance and your embassy.

Family or friends should always know where you are and what you are doing. This is particularly crucial for solo travelers. With your loved ones back home, do share your flight details, accommodation addresses, and major activities planned. I also make it a point to forward my full itinerary and contact details to a loved one before leaving.

Your passport, your ID and credit cards serve as your most crucial items that need protection during travel. Hide them safely and bring along only your essential items when you are away from your room. The following are some additional tips to help you secure your belongings:

• Always carry your money in a money belt or anti-theft bag.
• Scan your important documents and save the digital copies on your phone or cloud storage.
• Do not walk around with a lot of cash; instead, use credit cards or local ATMs.

Scammers often target tourists, so it’s important to stay alert. Research common scams in your destination, and always trust your instincts.

Common Scams to Watch For:

• Overpriced taxi rides or fake taxi drivers.
• Distraction techniques (e.g., spilling something on you) to steal your belongings.
• Pushy street vendors or unofficial tour guides.

My Tip: Avoid showing signs that you’re a tourist (e.g., studying a map in public). If you feel uncomfortable, walk away confidently.

Taking care of your health is important for safe travel. It is also important to carry with you basic first-aid kit like band-aids, pain relievers and any prescription that you may need. Bottled or filtered water should be consumed rather than water from the tap especially if the destination has unsafe water. Find out about the vaccinations that are recommended or required.

Having a way to get in touch with people or make calls during emergencies is important. Carry some form of communication during your travels; it could be a phone or a Wi-Fi hotspot. Buy a local SIM card or an international phone plan to ensure you have coverage. Store mappable data in cache form and download translation apps in case you get cut from the internet. Save your contact information in your phone's emergency contacts and scan/photograph this list and store it physically.

It can be confusing to navigate through a new location but with some precautions, it is possible to maintain safety. Select official taxis or rideshare apps to avoid random cabs you might come across. You should avoid traveling alone during late night especially in areas you are not familiar with. When renting a car, you should find out about local driving rules and insurance demands.

Being a tourist makes you a target of local scams and thieves. Don’t wear flashy jewellery or items that look expensive. It is always helpful to learn a few basic phrases in the local language. This goes a long way in making the local people respect you and it also helps you to communicate with them.

Your instincts are one of the best tools for your safety. If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation. My Tip: I am more alert of what’s going on around me when I am walking alone.

No matter how well you plan, the unexpected will sometimes happen. Expect and prepare for delays, cancellations or emergencies. In a secure place, keep a small emergency fund. Know the nearest embassy or consulate in case of a passport issue. It is advised to have travel insurance to cover for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.

While public Wi-Fi can be a real timesaver during connectivity needs, it can simultaneously serve as a hacker's playground.

Tip:

• Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides an encrypted connection for your data to protect against hackers.
• Avoid Sensitive Transactions: Refrain from checking your bank account or completing purchases through public Wi-Fi networks.
• Disable Auto-Connect: Make sure your device does not join unknown networks automatically.
• Stick to HTTPS Websites: Check for the padlock icon in your browser to confirm the website is secure.

Traveling is one of the best experiences in life and safety is the key to enjoy every moment of it. With some little preparation and knowledge, one can reduce the risks and have a smooth and problem-free journey.

Do you have any go-to safety tips for travel? Feel free to share them in the comments below. This is such an important topic and I want to make sure we are all as safe as we can be on every trip.