Safety - Wander the Planet .net

TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS

First things first. Upon arrival, find out what the local emergency number is.

Most often if you fall victim to a crime while traveling it is petty theft. Unlike the United States, most countries don't have many handguns on the street so most crimes are committed by knifepoint, machete, or by groups of people. Obviously, you are more of a target if you stand out as a rich tourist.

Here are some tips that have helped me (and my stuff) stay safe while traveling solo:

• When traveling to a new country, try to arrive during daylight hours and make a reservation for the first night before you arrive.
• When sitting at a cafe, park bench, etc. - keep your arm or foot in strap of your backpack or daypack.
• If someone drops something, or something happens, check your belongings. This may be a diversion to steal your stuff.
• Try not to look like a lost tourist. Do not stop on the street to consult a map or ask for directions. This immediately identifies you as a tourist. Step into a busy business to look at maps or check directions.
• Don't put all your money in one place! When you shop, split your spending money up and put it in several different packets.
• Some travelers keep a wad of $1 bills wrapped in a $10 bill in a front pocket in case they are mugged. If you do get robbed, give up your stuff immediately - most robberies are not violent. Then, get a crime report from police in case you have insurance that will replace your things.
• Always keep your hostel's address and phone number on you.
• Consider mini carabiners (climbing clamps), as opposed to mini combination locks, to secure your day pack. Just loop the carabiners through the holes of the zippers so that they are fastened together. This prevents having to remember a combo and fiddle with the lock, but effectively deters thieves.
• When you feel unsafe it's usually not paranoia, they're instincts that developed for a reason. If you get that feeling grab a taxi or go into a place with lots of people.
• Creative hiding places for money: under the insert in your shoe, in your bra, in your tampons or pads, hidden pockets sewn into your clothes, flashlight, hostel safe.
• Hang a decent-sized jingle bell on room doorknobs (if you don't carry your own supplemental doorlocks) to get warning of uninvited visitors at night.
• Leave all jewelry at home and buy a cheap watch - just one less thing to worry about! There's plenty of cheap silver jewelry available at markets if you feel bare without it.
• Try to nail some of the native language phrases and terms - especially when dealing with taxi drivers (you are more of a target if they know you don't speak their language).
• Don't carry all of your stuff with you when you go on short trips. Many hotels and hostels have storage facilities. The lighter you travel, the better. ·
• When taking taxis at night - be aware of route they take and of their ID numbers (usually on doors). ·
• If you have to travel at night, always keep a flashlight handy!
• Be especially aware of your surroundings at bus terminals, markets, parks, beaches, and after you leave banks.
• Make an emergency ID card for yourself with your name, country of residence, your age, emergency contact #, blood group and other relevant medical details.