1. Limit the checking of maps
One of the points to staying safe when traveling abroad is to blend in as best you can. While it’s usually pretty impossible to blend in completely in most places around the world, there are several ways that you can better your situation. One of the most important tips to do so is to walk the streets acting like you know where you’re going. Wandering aimless is one thing, but by limiting the amount of times that you stop and look at your map, the better you will blend and the less trouble that may come your way.
One of the points to staying safe when traveling abroad is to blend in as best you can. While it’s usually pretty impossible to blend in completely in most places around the world, there are several ways that you can better your situation. One of the most important tips to do so is to walk the streets acting like you know where you’re going. Wandering aimless is one thing, but by limiting the amount of times that you stop and look at your map, the better you will blend and the less trouble that may come your way.
2. Be confident
To accompany the previous tip, remember to walk confidently at all times – a local typically knows exactly where they’re going at most times, so to blend in successfully, be sure to walk with intent. Averting your eyes and looking straight ahead at all times, and even looking ‘through’ people is a good way to draw less attention to yourself.
3. Mind your belongings
Just because you’re at a restaurant, doesn’t mean your bag is safe sitting in a chair or at your feet. Put a strap around a chair leg, or buy a locking system that has a retractable wire, so that you may tie your belongings to an immoveable surface near you. It’s also important to use bags that have straps that can go around your neck or diagonally across your body, so when you’re walking around, it makes it difficult for an assailant to snag your bag or to cut a lone strap.
4. Avoid deserted areas
Be careful taking shortcuts through deserted back alleys or less-populated areas, especially at night. Be aware of your surroundings, because you never know who or what could be waiting for you around a corner. By sticking with populated areas at all times, you lower the risk of being caught by surprise, where few, if anyone else is near enough to help you in case of an emergency.
5. Alert others
No matter if you’re traveling to a relatively safe city or a remote area far away from civilization, it’s important to let others know exactly where you are. Because if something were to happen to you, and you had no way out, or any way of contacting someone, it’s best that family and friends are used to hearing from you regularly, and then will know where to track you down, in case of a drop in communication or a real emergency.
Quick tips safety series:
5 quick tips for travel safety
5 more quick tips for travel safety
To accompany the previous tip, remember to walk confidently at all times – a local typically knows exactly where they’re going at most times, so to blend in successfully, be sure to walk with intent. Averting your eyes and looking straight ahead at all times, and even looking ‘through’ people is a good way to draw less attention to yourself.
3. Mind your belongings
Just because you’re at a restaurant, doesn’t mean your bag is safe sitting in a chair or at your feet. Put a strap around a chair leg, or buy a locking system that has a retractable wire, so that you may tie your belongings to an immoveable surface near you. It’s also important to use bags that have straps that can go around your neck or diagonally across your body, so when you’re walking around, it makes it difficult for an assailant to snag your bag or to cut a lone strap.
4. Avoid deserted areas
Be careful taking shortcuts through deserted back alleys or less-populated areas, especially at night. Be aware of your surroundings, because you never know who or what could be waiting for you around a corner. By sticking with populated areas at all times, you lower the risk of being caught by surprise, where few, if anyone else is near enough to help you in case of an emergency.
5. Alert others
No matter if you’re traveling to a relatively safe city or a remote area far away from civilization, it’s important to let others know exactly where you are. Because if something were to happen to you, and you had no way out, or any way of contacting someone, it’s best that family and friends are used to hearing from you regularly, and then will know where to track you down, in case of a drop in communication or a real emergency.
Quick tips safety series:
5 quick tips for travel safety
5 more quick tips for travel safety
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