After months of planning, it is finally time for vacation! But, before you pack you bags and start jet setting, there are some safety tips that you need to know. We aren’t just talking about the safety spiel before your plane takes off, but what you need to know once you land.
Whether you are traveling with friends or traveling alone, you need to be ready for anything. These are the things you need to know before starting your summer adventure.
Know Before You Go
It doesn’t matter if you are traveling across the country or around the world, knowing about where you are going is super important. Learning about public transportation, embassy locations, and local laws are all great ways to get acclimated to a state or country. By visiting the S. Department of State official website, you get all sorts of great traveling information that can help you plan your trip, learn local culture, and stay safe.
Always Keep Identification On You
You need to have your phone and/or photo ID card on you at all times. In fact, this is something that you should be doing every time you leave the house, but it is extra important for travelers. Just in case you find yourself in a sticky situation, you’ll need a way for local authorities to identify you as well as a way to call for help or check your funds online. It’s also wise to keep a piece of paper in your wallet with an emergency contact at all times.
Call Your Credit Card Company
The last thing you need is to be lost in a foreign city with no working credit cards. If you don’t alert your credit card company of your vacation dates, you run the risk of having them freeze your credit card after your first out-of-town purchase. We recommend always traveling with a credit card, but even if you’re going cash-only be sure to call your credit card company and notify them of your travel plans. This will ensure that those emergency funds are available at a moment’s notice.
What Would You Do?
It’s uncomfortable to think about, for sure, but have you ever thought about what you would do in an emergency situation? We aren’t saying that you should go out and earn a black belt before your plane takes off (though it’s not a bad idea!), but research and give some thought to what you would do if, for example, you lost your phone and can’t remember the number for any of your contacts. Or what if someone tried to mug you on the street? Keeping a written list of your contacts on a piece of paper in your wallet and carrying pepper spray are wise precautions that could save your life. It’s also wise to keep a translation book on you. Thinking about how you would handle being lost, losing valuable items, or communicating with natives before you leave for your trip will help you to feel more comfortable and stay safer. That way, you can enjoy all of the joys of being on vacation without any hiccups or serious issues!
