For those looking to warmer climes, it means nights out, excitement and new experiences. But on the flip side, especially if they are travelling alone, they may need to be more aware of their safety and surroundings. Here are a few tips to help them step out with confidence.
Keep A Hotel Card
If you are heading out into a new neighborhood or city, consider taking a business card of the hotel or accommodation that you are staying at. If they don’t have one, take note of it and keep it safe. At the end of the evening, you can show a taxi driver where you are staying to get back there.
Leave Valuables
Whether it is sentimental jewellery, a new necklace or a backpack, consider they could be an easy target for thieves and robbers. Rather than be safe than sorry, consider utilizing a hotel safe rather than trying to hide them around your room. A hotel safe is a good bet as long as the code you use is personal to you.
Check, Note And Tell Someone
As much as going out is very much part of the holiday experience, getting back and making people aware of where you are is just as important. Some research and planning, such as asking whether the area you are travelling to is safe and the possibilities of getting public transport or taxi rides back home, are highly recommended.
Equally, you can write a note and leave it in your room before leaving to say where you are going. If that isn’t on, consider alerting someone back home or close to you to let them know of your expected whereabouts and check back in with them when you return to base.
Don’t Be Taken For A Ride
You have undoubtedly heard horror stories from friends and urban legends of being taken for a ride – be it the long way round to a destination, being over-charged, or worse. If public transport is available, consider that as a safe option. If you have to go by taxi, see if the hotel recommends a licensed one, and even take note of the number plate just for safety’s sake.
Don’t Accept Lifts
Be aware of your surroundings and never accept lifts from strangers or people you have just met. For travellers, particularly those on their own, it might be best to stay in public view and use public transport.
Don’t Get Drunk
Once you are on holiday, it is very easy to drop your guard, chill out and relax. It is also a golden opportunity for someone to slip drugs into your drink, leaving you incapable. Be conscious of how much you are drinking so as not to become easy prey for thieves and scammers. If you’re travelling solo, don’t put your trust in strangers; make sure you stay sober enough to keep your wits about you.
Store Away Items
Passports, cameras, phones and other digital devices that travellers depend on are the lifeblood of thieves in tourist centres. It is probably an excellent reason if you don’t see other tourists walking around with their cameras and phones on display. Split up valuables, keep them in concealed pockets and bags, and even consider putting money and credit cards in places like a shoe.
Need Help?
If you need help, try to find a family or a couple as a means of safety in a public place. In an emergency, have a plan of attack, such as logging in emergency numbers on your phone. Be aware of your surroundings, so think ahead, plan your escape route, and be mindful of emergency exits from hotels or modes of transport.
Conclusion
Staying alert is all about staying safe. If you don’t, you could make yourself vulnerable. Being aware of your surroundings and knowing you have done all you can to enjoy the moment will add to the holiday experience.
Andy Probert is an experienced freelance business travel journalist and PR specialist.
