10 Ways to Stay SAFE While Traveling
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- čas přidán 4. 09. 2024
- Planning your next adventure? Stay safe with our top 10 tips for traveling securely. In this video, we cover essential advice to help you avoid common hazards and ensure a worry-free trip. From securing your belongings to staying aware of your surroundings, these practical tips will keep you protected no matter where you go. Don't let safety concerns spoil your journey-watch now and travel with confidence!
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Great tips, guys.
I'll add some other ones that I and other solo female travelers have lived by since back in the 1970s. I'm now in my 60s. Plus, we didn't have tech back then, so it was thinking fast on one's feet to stay safe and also escape sticky situations. Great hardcore life skills. Also, our travel experiences were different from our male solo traveler friends' experiences. I had plenty of male friends out and about and in some of the same places where I was traveling. We would discuss our experiences. Below are some things that we did as solo female travelers and some that I still do. I've been solo on 6 continents over 5 decades.
1) Wear sunglasses so that one's eyes don't accidentally come in contact with some males and then it might be taken as a come on or a reason to be followed and also walk as if one
knows where one is going, even if one doesn't know.
2) Never book private accommodations in really isolated areas, like small villas, houses, etc out in the middle of nowhere. Not cool.
3) Know where the local police department is even though in some places the police can't
always be totally trusted, but still at least know where the police department is.
4) Don't answer personal questions. Period. Taxi drivers asking where you're staying and how long you will be staying in a place. I just outright say that it's a personal question and that I
don't answer such questions. You can always say that it's against your own culture to ask
or answer such personal questions to someone you don't know. End of story.
5) Know where your country's embassy is in case you need it.
6) Buy a travel door alarm and use it. I've had them for decades. There are even some that
will fit windows. I have lost count as to how many times someone has walked into my
room/apartment. But, the alarm went off. In hotels/serviced apartments, it's the staff. In regular apartments, it can be the owner coming in to check something, but doesn't knock first, just opens the door and comes in. I've had more than a few people startled when my alarm went off at any of my accommodation types. One early morning I was in my nightwear, when my door alarm went off in the apartment where I was staying.
7) When taking a taxi or other such means of non-public transportation, get dropped off at a public place and then walk to one's accommodation if one feels the need to do such.
8) Always have decent emergency funds as one can't put a price on one's safety. You might have to change accommodations if you don't feel safe in either the neighborhood or the accommodation that you've booked.
9) If you want to go to a specific place at night (restaurants, etc) go in the day to scout it and the neighborhood out, to see where the place is and then not have to fumble around at night,
alone and looking lost. I used to scout out places a lot during the day and still do depending on
where I am in the world. I used to do it a lot in some European cities.
10) If I feel like I'm being followed, then I look for a nice hotel, walk inside, maybe stay and
have something to drink if there's a cafe, or go to the reception desk and ask questions
about the hotel and get some other information, and then walk outside to the door person
and ask for a taxi. Then, off I go. I've done this more than a few times over the decades. Or if I'm being followed and there's a taxi nearby, I flag it and jump in. I've been followed quite a bit in some places.
11) Hopefully have some street smarts before you leave home.
Since I started traveling solo at age 17/18 (early-mid 1970s), I and also solo traveling close female friends of mine, have dealt with a lot of situations. I even had a man grab me once, in Europe, after quickly asking for directions, and then kissing me. Yuck! But, we females deal with a lot of crap.
I was last out and about from Dec 2019-Feb 2020. There are different situations that I have experienced at different ages and I know that if I go to certain places out there in this world, that I prepare myself to deal with situations that I might not have to deal with in other areas/countries of the world. And if one stands out like a sore thumb in some places and one doesn't look like the people of the places where one is, then be prepared to deal with stuff. But, overall, I have been able to stay safe, get myself out of some really sticky situations no matter the age, and quickly move accommodations when needed. And life moves on.
Greetings from Los Angeles
My 38 year old daughter has travelled to 67 countries by herself. She does everything mentioned above and she also wears a wedding ring. If she gets bothered she usually will mention that she is waiting for her husband. Another one of her hacks, when you just land at the airport and you do not want to have a " deer in the head lights look" so once you clear customs and the doors open into the arrivals section ,it's usually very crowded. To look like she knows what she is doing, she will look into the crowd and wave pretending she knows someone. She just walks into the crowd and makes her way hassle free.
and then walks into the crowd and know one bothers her
We enjoy your videos. We are an older (70 and 67) couple from the US and have been travelling for a couple of years. Two thoughts came to mind during your presentation today. We always use bank ATM's and one does business while the other watches surroundings. The second is that street crime is rarely one individual. The 15 year old girl you joked about could well be a spotter or a distractor. Everyone needs to be appraised, especially if they get your spidey sense tingling. Be safe and continue enjoying your travels.
I carry a printed copy of my name and contact information, passport/visa, medical conditions, prescription medications, allergies and emergency contact in my purse wherever I go, even if I’m not traveling. I also include information on my medical insurance plan so others can notify my insurance company in the event that I can’t.
Great tip, Thank you so much for sharing 😊
Good information. Agree with it all! Overall, just be aware of your surroundings at all times. Situational awareness is key no matter where you are.
Great advice!! Thank you! 😁
Great practical tips that I have incorporated over the many years of travel. Another tip is to ensure you have all your credit card information (account #, expiry date, code on back) plus international number to call should your card be stolen. Also, ensure to have your bank account information as well. You do not want to be looking for this info should your accounts get compromised or cards stolen. Share with a relative such as your parents and I also an email to yourself.
Great tips, thank you so much for sharing 😊. Cheers
Good video contents! My wife and I would only plan one main event per day while traveling. If you try to do a lot, you will be too tired to notice potential threats around you abroad.
Very true, John!! Thank you for watching and commenting!!
That’s a good advice ❤
Thanks, Brian and Carrie. I usually don't post about a place I've been until after I'm home. However, I was thinking that with long-term slow travel, I could post more current travel info. You've made me realize, it might be wiser to wait until I have moved on to the next place. *sigh*
We always carry several paper copies of our passports, along with digital copies on our phones and in our emails. Never had the need for those copies but it is good practice! Another great video!
We use a local SIM in Romania and we get bear alerts, depending upon which cell tower we are close to!
Really great information shared in this video/podcast. Cheers to you both.
Thank you, Jenn!! ❤️
We watched in 2019 while a guy grabbed a backpack from a chair at an outdoor restaurant table. 😮 We doubled down after that trip, getting backpacks that can be locked 🔒. We also use locks on our crossbody bags as well. One less thing to worry about while on tours using a camera 😊. Wow the note cards is a great tip, with the address if your phone is lost or dead. And thanks for the reminder about the STEP program, I will be doing this today, as well as email passports to ourselves and to our family members.
Great idea!!!
I think she felt safe walking near you. That’s something I would do as a single traveler but only rarely.
There are many really smart, helpful tips in this video, some I hadn't considered. I had never heard of STEP before this video! Thanks for posting!
I always take something from your videos, this time it was your suggestion about pictures of travel documents, and also emailing yourself a copy. I have a printed copy of my passport (and Visa for this country) but now I will take some pics and send them to myself and others.
On the topic of health and safety, good timing for a comment, I slipped this morning on a ramp and gave myself a strain injury to the soft tissue of my knee. So my addition to your great content is "know some basic self care first aid". I am lucky, having been a paramedic for 39 years there is not much that concerns me, like in this situation, using basic first aid (Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate aka RICE). Here I couldn't find ice, but the cheats way is to dampen a cloth, put in the freezer for 15 minutes and then use that. Bit of a bummer that I can't walk to old town tonight, but at least if I rest it today I will be back to walking plenty in a day or so.
So sorry to hear about your knee. Hope it heals very quickly ❤️
Yeah, these are very good things to remember. Seems so basic doesn’t it? My phone went wonky on me while on an overseas trip and it made me realize how dependent I’ve become on its vast array of uses. I didn’t know my kids numbers. I didn’t know how to get around. It was like I was a newly hatched chick just blinking at the light of my awareness of my ignorance.
I keep a written copy of my destination info and a printed copy of my passport now.
I also learned that a lot of local people (e.g taxi drivers, shop owners) cannot read the English versions of destinations, so I carry my hotel name and address in the local language as well.
Another word of caution is when your sharing the fact that your on vacation or away from home for 3 months, you’re letting people know that hey, there might not be anyone at this person’s house. If someone had bad intentions that could be a problem.
Good point, something people need to be mindful of. Cheers!!
Great tips! Many I had never thought of. Thanks for sharing. 😊
I noticed a comment below about the "15 year old girl" who could be a spotter for someone else. My sister and husband were on the train from the airport to Rome and noticed a young lady with a baby in her lap talking on her cell phone for most of the ride. My brother-in-law got up to go to the bathroom at the same time the train stopped. A guy then runs down the train, grabs his backpack and runs off the train. Coincidently, the young lady then got up and strolled off the train as well. She didn't get up when the train stopped but after the backpack was grabbed. While I try to think the best of people, I think Brian moving to the other side of the street was a good idea.
I got the shingles shot about 15 years ago and they told me I won’t need another one and now they want me to. My 20 year old son was in the Navy and got shingles right when he finished a class that was the hardest in the Navy. Took 2 months to reach his ship after that.
I got a shingles shot during the pandemic (2020?), nothing said of a follow-up shot. Last year (10/23) during a check up they suggested another shingles shot. They didn't call it a booster but said the first one I got needed this follow up. I take it pertained to the manufacturer. Maybe other manufacturer's shots don't need the second shot? 🤷♂
It didn't cost me anything, but I was going over last years bill with the office the other day and saw the original cost (before insurance) of that second vaccination was $863, plus a fee to administer it. 🤦♂ $863??? More than the cost of Brian's colonoscopy in Thailand(?) (SE Asia).
Thank u both for sharing. Brian, it's possible that young girl wanted to stay close to u for her own feeling of safety.
All very good points. I sometimes require a cane to help me along, due to past injuries. A cane can be taken through security and aboard an aircraft and stowed in the upper compartment. There are videos on using canes as self defense if one is so inclined. I also do not use it when I don't have to, and just carry it. Leaning on it always may give the perception of being the wounded wildebeast in the herd.
Don't buy the ridiculous sword canes, or ones that look like an obvious weapon, or you won't get by security. Mine is a regular J cane of thick hardwood hickory. It's also helped as a hiking/walking stick at times, especially on steep terrain.
Not for everyone, I know. Someone may find it worthy.
Great tip, thank you so much for sharing 😊
In the U.S., you can get a passport card with your passport book. As I understand it, the passport card is only valid for crossing land boarders, e.g. into Mexico. However, I always travel with my passport card, and I keep it on me rather than my regular passport book. Almost every place we have needed a passport while away from our hotel, they are willing to accept the passport card.
Awesome topic.. a couple things we’ve implemented when traveling are to; research the dangerous parts of the city we will visit, and save and label them in google maps .. that way when we’re walking about, we won’t accidentally wander into a dangerous area. Also, if you’re traveling with a companion, mirror your cell phone emergency contacts and important apps/data so you have at least one good/configured working phone at all times.
Great tips, thanks so much for sharing 😊
Your videos are great. Such helpful info. Thank you👍🙏
Thank you so much for watching 😊
Another great video with sound advice. Thank you so very much for all you do! Blessings ❤️
Thank you so much for watching, Cheers!!
Always enjoy your content. I am 5 months away from starting my own slowmad journey and getting excited. Can you share the website you are checking in with as you travel to get safety alerts?
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Thanks guys! I've learned to be on the lookout for 5'2" 15 year old girls following me closely.
Haha... Beware 😉
Good to register with the embassy also so if your family don’t hear from you they can ask the embassy to check on you.
Brain and Carrie over all great information good advice for all travelers. However, I would like to add make sure you know how to contact local police (emergencies number) in the county where you are in for instance 112 is the international European Number for all EU, just in case you need to call. Also when doing daily routines such as exercising or going to the grocery store or your favorite cafe… change up your route and time you leave never be predictable in your routines always be unpredictable. It would be a good idea as well to get a privacy screen for your phone. This way no one can see your screen of your phone. Overall you both made excellent points. Situational Awareness is key. Safe travels!!
John’s Journeys currently in Kuala Lumpur.
Great tips, thank you so much for sharing 😊
Love your content. Thank you. Could you do a video on how VPNs work? I have one but I use it solely to access TV in my home country. I have no idea how I should be using it to stay safe while travelling.
As an additional level of security, when we have a backpacks we use a carabina clip to keep the zips closed together 🙂
Brian and Carrie. You guys are terrific. Can you please tell me what websites are good to check neighborhoods on specific cities? I do not seem to find good websites with this information. Thanks.
We just Google most popular neighborhood in any city and you will get a good idea on where to stay. You can also find the best attractions and go from there.
I've used Google maps street view. Some basics are condition of cars in the neighborhood, abandoned homes, sometimes graffiti, types of shops, parks with/ if families/ people are using them.
I have read that Mexico City is running out of water. Would recommend researching the issue before you go. However, I think taking a shower with Corona beer can be pleasurable. 😂
We have and will be there after the rainy season. 😁
Cheers!!🍻
After your last insurance video, I heard of a "phenomenally" heathy 26yo that was visiting Africa. He contracted malaria but didn't realize it until he returned to Montenegro. Unfortunately, in Montenegro he was told they couldn't figure it out and if it was malaria, they could not treat him. He had to be airlifted to Slovenia at the cost of €9,000 and spent three weeks in the ICU at over €50,000. It was said he was in a position to cover the bill but...ouch.
Insurance is for the unexpected, as you said, especially the big unexpected. For me it looks like I'll go for high deductible to reduce the premiums. Then I'll pay for the smaller bills, but still have insurance for the big ones, especially the medical evacuation, if needed. 🤞 It's always 🤞isn't it?
That's what I do. Medical is so inexpensive in most places I pay out of pocket with a high deductible.
I keep a paper on me at all times that says full name and incase of injury call my embassy … “ in case of emergency please call… “ I list a few people” also on the same paper I list any health conditions.
You could run out of cell phone power or get it stollen so a physical paper with all the details included is a hotel number and I fold and place it in the clear slot with “emergency info” showing
Great tips, Maria! Thank you for adding to the channel!
@@BrianandCarrie your welcome happy to help!
Thank you for posting, great info. "Some of it is common sense..."?? ;)
Very good suggestions and concise video.
I will share a friend’s recommendation to put Nite Ize S-Biner MicroLocks on the zippers of our packs. They aren’t locks, but it’s enough of a deterrent that thieves (pickpockets) will move on to easier targets. They’re very affordable and multi purpose.
Great tip, thank you so much for sharing 😊
Wow that's a lot of info! And you know I'm gonna need A LOT of help in 28 months when we start traveling ma'am! lol! 🤣😘
Luckily you have my direct contact so I can help you whenever ❤️
They are usually on their phone and have no idea. However, I do that straggly in Vancouver.
Great info 👍
I feel like I just passed the entry exam on my way to the Blackstone project and earning my Bourne Identity situation awareness badge. 🏅 🤔😊😉
I'm torn with looking like a local. I so want to sport the latest pineapple 🍍 apparel compared to black jeans, black shirt, and a black leather jacket in the summer time.... wait could my world 🌎 schema be a bit skewered by the action movies I watch? 🤔 Naaaahh.😊
🤣🤣
Really enjoy your content
Thank you!! ❤️
As for social media postings, don't forget. If you still have a home and you're posting while away, you could be telling people it may be vacant...making it a target. 🤔😱
In the US the CDC has a list of vaccinations you need for various locations BTW.
Love the the videos, what vaccines have you taken for the various countries that you’ve gone to? Also, did you take the malaria pills when you were in Southeast Asia? Thanks so much, Brian.
Thank you, Brian. We got the Hep A & B shots but did not take the malaria pills. Our pharmacist told us that it is not necessary unless we plan on going into the jungle.
Great video
Thank you 😊
In your video you talk about sharing a link you use to research neighborhoods. I am new to full time solo travel and find that to be my greatest challenge. Did I miss the link?
We research neighborhoods by using Google. Here is the link we us for the safety index. www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
How do you best manage getting cash from ATM's is another question?
It's best to walk inside a bank to get cash inside.
We use a Charles Shwab cash cards with free ATM charges. You won't have any problems with ATMs
@@BrianandCarrie I think he was asking about people coming up to outdoor ATMs and grabbing your money as it comes out of the machine. I have seen videos about this. There are two of you so one can be a lookout, but if you are alone it's recommended to go to an inside ATM physically in the bank or a building where they can't grab and run.
What kind of luggage do you have that you can lock? Thanks!
We use the Away larger carry-on.
Pacsafe is a company that makes anti-theft travel gear. They don't have "luggage" per se but they have backpacks/carry-ons up to 45L, crossbody bags, slings and more. Their anti-theft technology is really nice, including interlocking zippers (some with a locking mechanism that almost doesn't need an additional lock), and cut proof straps.
I used to put an emergency contact paper in my kids backpack when they went to school. Once a bus driver dropped off a child at the wrong bus stop so I thought if that happened my child might not know how to tell people her info. Now I do that for myself when I travel … oh how life changes next will be diapers chuckles!
Where are the links for knowing which areas of town are safe?
We use the site Numbeo for research. As far as locations in a town, you'll find those by googling best areas to stay in ..... Town
As always, helpful and useful tips from seasoned travellers. For me, I am not posting online on the day where I am. I don't show car rental or hotels at the time. Cheers!
My cousin’s phone was stolen, and without information on paper, there are a lot of problems
You two are cute😊
Thank you, Roxanne! ❤️😁
Grimm comment but I keep a laminated card in my wallet that has my advance directive contact persons information. (Suze Orman's "must have documents").
That's a great idea, and even though grim thought, totally necessary.
go to thailand, Mexico is NOT safe, also very expensive. I just do not understand why people go to Mexico. SE Asia wins hands down for so many reasons I would not even know where to start.
We love Thailand, but can't wait to visit Mexico.
Out of all the places I have traveled the U.S. has some of the sketchiest places
Sadly, this has been very true for us as well
@@BrianandCarrie Bellingham isn’t that scary 😀