Here we have me holding into my bag for dear life while in Paris.
Pick-pocketers suck.
The world is a wonderful place, but sometimes scary people ruin the fun. Public safety has recently been a concern for people all across the globe.
We don’t want the fear of getting caught in a sticky situation hold you back from making the most out of your travel experiences, so here are the top 10 safety tips to keep in mind while abroad.
1. Know your destination beforehand
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the area you’re exploring before you head out. Get to know the fun places to visit and the sketchy places to steer clear from. Staying up to date with news stories will also help you prepare yourself for what to expect during your time there.
2. Watch out for sneaky ‘swipers’
Generally, tourists are very friendly and, at times, can be quick to trust. Unfortunately, there are people in every city around the world who like to target these types of foreigners. Always be aware of who is around you and trust your gut. When I went to France, I was told to always keep my purse in front of me with my hand on it at all times to avoid being pick-pocketed. If keeping yourself and valuables safe means just a hand over your bag, then by all means please make that effort.
3. Splurge for secure hotels
It may seem appealing to cut corners on hotels and book a cheap one to save some cash for other things (food), but it’s crucial to book a safe place to crash at night. That may mean spending a bit more, but your safety is priceless.
4. Eyes up when you walk
Drop the phone and always be aware of your surroundings as you roam. You may feel paranoid while constantly looking around you but better safe than sorry. You can wait to Instagram that really artsy picture next to the mural, I promise.
5. Confidence is key
If you walk with pride and act like you know what you’re doing, you won’t seem like a foolish tourist. This will help you immensely because you will no longer look like an easy target. Your goal is to look like a boss; thieves aren’t looking to put up a fight.
6. Stay in touch
If you have an itinerary, make sure to hand a copy to someone back home who can keep track of it. It’s always a great idea to have someone checking on you in case something goes unexpectedly wrong. It’s also convenient to have an international phone line activated during your time abroad in case of emergencies.
7. Low-key is best
It’s fun to flash our finest things while living it up in new cities, but think twice about wearing that fancy watch while out and about. Thieves like to target those who obviously have some extra cash.
8. Have local emergency numbers handy
Now that you have that fancy new international phone, keep emergency contacts handy. Make sure you have all police, ambulance and embassy phone numbers at your fingertips. You never know what can happen.
9. Only travel in certified taxis
It is not uncommon for people to pose as cab drivers to either rip people off or potentially harm them. To avoid these shams, caradvice.com suggests that you look for a meter, a taxi license, a well-known taxi company advertised on the car and a taxi roof sign in each taxi you grab. Some countries may even have designated license plates for certified vehicles. Make a mental note of this list before hopping into a car.
10. Go with the flow
It may seem enticing to take the ‘road not taken’ and stay away from crowd, but it might be in your best interest to stick to the status quo. Avoid all alleys, and any area that may seem deserted. It's not worth risking your safety.
Safe travels, friends.
