5 Rules For Staying Safe – And Having Real Adventures – When Travelling Solo
When you think of people going on vacation, you tend to think of families. It’s a natural assumption as there have been countless movies about family vacations. However, it’s estimated that more than a quarter of Americans have traveled for business, and around 20 percent have done so for leisure. If you’re one of these people that has either traveled solo or you plan to go on a trip by yourself, you must keep yourself safe. To do so, here are some valuable tips that can save you a lot of hassle and even save your life.
1. Insure, Insure, Insure
Not everybody is a fan of insurance, and it’s understandable. However, travel insurance is something that’s affordable (especially when compared to the cost of an overall trip) and it doesn’t require a monthly payment for the rest of your life. Travel insurance will cover a lot of things and can potentially get you out of a disastrous situation. Travel insurance can cover flights that get canceled, luggage that gets lost or damaged, and even medical help if you find yourself out of the country. You probably won’t need it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
2. Stay Charged
Your cell phone isn’t just something that takes pictures and allows you to post on social media, but it can also save your life. Make sure that your phone is properly charged at all times (even if it means using a portable charger). You can get real time alerts for potentially dangerous situations happening in the area, traffic and more to keep you safe. Of course, you’ll also be able to make calls in case you need emergency assistance.
3. Always Let Your Plans Be Known
Before you embark on any vacation by yourself, let all of your loved ones know what you’re going to be doing. Don’t let it be vague, either. Your emergency contacts should know your flight number, the estimated time of arrival and an hourly itinerary during the duration of your trip. Obviously you don’t want to expect the worst, but it’s always best to plan ahead. Checking in with those you trust most multiple times per day is also a big help.
4. Limit Night Travel
Whether you’re at home or on the road, the majority of crimes will happen at night. More violent crimes especially can happen at night, so try to stick to traveling during the day unless it’s absolutely necessary. Data across major cities have shown that more than half of burglaries, assault, robberies and more happen during the nighttime hours.
5. Keep Your Valuables Separate
In the tragic event that you are mugged or robbed, you could possibly lose everything and have to replace it, and that can take months or years. There’s a way that you can minimize the damage done if this happens in unfamiliar territory, and that’s by not keeping all of your valuables with you at once. You should always keep your phone with you, but if you don’t plan on spending money, you can leave the wallet or identification in the hotel room. If you keep these items in a safe, that’s an added bonus.
