For many people, travelling can feel like chaos, especially if it’s the sort of thing you only do once or twice a year. Getting everything right and to work together is difficult, and you often have to break your routines in ways you don’t want or expect. The good news, though, is there are ways that you can reduce the risk of disaster when travelling. It just requires the right type of planning and approach. Here’s what to do.
Start by researching your destination thoroughly before you book
You want to start your risk reduction strategy by researching the destination thoroughly before you book. Check official sources like the US Department of State travel advisories to see what experts recommend. You can check things like:
- natural disaster risk
- crime trends
- the current level of risk
For example, right now the officials are recommending against visiting places like Mexico because of unrest. Also, think about the risks in terms of your health, something which often flies under the radar. You’ll need to consider things like:
- water and food safety, especially when traveling to India
- the types of vaccinations that you need to protect yourself against diseases
- the risk of a disease outbreak occurring while you’re travelling
All of these issues can be abated with the right timing and interventions.
Get comprehensive travel insurance
You also want to ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance. This reduces the financial risks of certain events unfolding while you’re away. For example, most insurance covers things like:
- medical emergencies
- lost belongings
- trip cancellations and evacuations
Pay particular attention to travel insurance if you’re planning on going on adventure travel or a destination that’s prone to disasters. In these cases you’ll need to pay a higher premium, but you’ll also get more protection for real risks.
Pair your documentation and bring backups
The next step is to prepare your documentation and bring backups with you. You’ll need physical copies or photos of your passport, ID and National Insurance. You’ll also need things like prescriptions and your itinerary, just in case.
If you can leave detailed plans with your friends or family members before you go away, they’ll know exactly where you should be at any point during your trip. This is particularly important if you’re planning on hiking or trekking in a remote area. Knowing where you’re going to be and when you should be expected to turn up is essential.
While you are away, it’s common for your essential documents to be lost or stolen. Many people fall prey to ID theft and fraud, especially when travelling outside of the West. To reduce this risk, make sure that you keep a digital bank of all of your key documents so you can show them to officials when necessary.
Prioritise safe transportation choices
Another recommendation is to always prioritise safe transportation choices. While it might be tempting to ride a motorcycle across a country you’ve never been to before, the risks are real. Remember, road conditions may not be as good, especially if you’re traveling to Southeast Asia, Africa or South America. These regions tend to have lax rules, and drivers don’t always take the proper care and precautions that they should.
When using transport, always wear your seat belt and use reputable ride-sharing services. Licensed taxis are an option, but these can also be scams, so be careful and research your destination before you travel. Also research local driving norms. Destinations like Japan and the UK drive on the left, which can be quite confusing if you’re used to driving on the right. If you want to reduce these risks as much as possible, travel on trains or go on guided tours. Get other people to take you around instead of taking on the responsibility yourself.
Protect your health proactively
Another way to reduce the risk of disasters while travelling is to protect your health proactively.
- Make sure you have all of the recommended vaccines and medications for your destination, including malaria tablets if you need them.
- On top of this, reduce risks by using hand sanitiser, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Bring a first aid kit with you just in case for scrapes and burns. Dealing with these quickly reduces the risk of hospitalisation later.
Also, avoid using tap water in risky areas. Instead, bring a filter with you, if you can. If you are in a destination with a lot of street food, be careful. Street food vendors may have sub-standard hygiene practices, again, especially in countries like India.
If there are lots of dogs around, including stray dogs, then make sure you get a rabies vaccination before you travel. A dog bite can lead to a serious rabies infection.
Safeguard against theft
Where possible, safeguard yourself against theft. If you can, dress like the locals. Don’t wear any flashy jewellery or have your expensive mobile phone out while walking along the street. Try not to look like a tourist.
If you do look like an outsider, there’s a higher probability that you’ll be targeted. Criminals will often act opportunistically in many countries, especially if they think that you have valuable possessions.
When in crowded areas or tourist hot spots, be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for pickpockets and wear your backpack on your chest instead of your back in high-risk locations. Don’t go to isolated areas at night.
Always talk to locals about the places which are safe for foreigners. Get them to tell you where they think you should and should not go.
Stay connected and share your location
Finally, if you’re going off the beaten track or you’re in a dangerous city, make sure you stay connected and share your location. There are plenty of services that now allow you to do this, even if you don’t have a mobile internet connection. These track your position via global positioning satellites.
Also, make sure your phone does not run out of battery. Ensure you have a spare battery pack with you at all times and a local eSIM so you can switch to local networks without paying roaming charges.
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