It can improve your health by reducing stress. Travel is important because it takes you out of your daily routine and into new experiences. The journey makes familiar the vast world outside your hometown.

Follow these essential tips to make your travel safe.

1. Research Your Destination

Thoroughly research the place where you are going. You can search on Google about the location and read reviews by travelers. You can consult with local people via online forums for information about crime incidents and places to stay.

For country updates, check the state department's website for updates and enroll in STEP (Smart Travel Enrolment Plan) for US citizens or something similar from your home country.


2. Keep Emergency Information

Another important tip is to know, in any emergency, whom to call. Keep contact information of the nearest embassy, police station, ambulance service, or any local emergency department. Save all contact numbers in your phone, write them into a diary, or on a small piece of paper.

3. Be Aware of Who You Attract

Try to blend into your new destination because individuals that look like apparent tourists are vulnerable to crime. Pick the right clothes that do not attract the wrong crowd. Neutral colors are usually a good choice. And discreetly look at maps and don't give off the impression you are ever lost.

4. Get Help from Locals

Ask help from locals with caution. Most locals are friendly and can provide you valuable information about accommodation, and good places to visit or eat.

Taxi drivers may cause trouble because some can be a good source of information or be greedy and lead you into trouble.

Hotel or hostel front-desk employees are often a great local source of information.

5. Lock Your Valuables

Traveling with valuables is sometimes required. Travel backpacks and luggage with built-in locks are not always enough to keep your belongings safe. A zippered-locked bag may not deter a thief. Zippers can be forced open with sharp objects such as a pen. Even in the case of slash-proof backpacks, the material can be torn or cut.

Always keep an eye on your belongings or use your accommodation's safety box. You can use your backpack as a pillow for safety.

If you still feel unsafe, you can always try your luck and pray to the travel gods for safe passage.

6. Stay in Touch with Friends and Family

No matter where you are going or how many times: for a day, a week, or a month, it is recommended that your friends and family are aware of your location.

Before leaving, send a copy of an itinerary to someone you trust. Update your family frequently of your whereabouts. Ensure your family knows where you are going, your plans, and when you will back. So that they can help to notify the embassy or authorities if you may be in harm's way.

7. Do Not Share Anything with Strangers

Facebook can be a road map of your movement; you can plan out your itinerary on Facebook. But it does not mean you should make your posts public or share it with people you just met.

Do not tell anyone about your accommodation to a shop owner or any friendly street merchant. If someone asks, do not be rude. Instead, you can be vague about the town rather than the name of the hotel. You can lie about the hotel name.

8. Safeguard Your Accommodation

Even if your room has complete safety measures, there are steps you can take to make your space safer. Keep your window shut and lock the door. Buy a jammer, it is a portable device that can slip under the door to keep it closed while you sleep.

Even when you are away from your room, give the impression that you are still there. You can do it by posting a sign of "do not disturb" or keeping the blinds down.

9. Be Careful about Public Wi-Fi

Try not to let the comfort of internet access cloud your judgment. When you use public Wi-Fi, hackers are seated ready to hack your personal data, including credit cards or social security numbers. Set your network to be private; it will allow you safe access to the internet.

10. Make Copies of Documents

Always make photocopies of your important documents and IDs. You might need a copy of your passport, driving license, travel insurance certification, flight itinerary, and hotel reservations in case of theft. You can also take pictures of these documents and save them to your smartphone and the cloud. Remember, sometimes, immigration officials may want to see hotel reservations or return flight tickets.

11. Learn Basic Self-Defense

You should be aware of basic self-defense techniques. For this skill, you can take self-defense classes to know how and when to apply them. There are some YouTube videos on this as well, but physical training is more beneficial.

12. Use ATMs Carefully

Always take precautionary measures while using ATMs during traveling. Cover your hand when you are going to enter the PIN. Always inspect your surroundings and the machine before entering your card into the ATM.

13. Food and Water Safety

Eating exotic food can be an adventure for many people who love to travel. Follow these tips to keep healthy:
  • Try to eat at known restaurants or areas.
  • Try to see how your food is prepared, if possible.
  • Always eat thoroughly cooked food and avoid half or semi-cooked food unless it's meant to be prepared that way.
  • If you have allergies, write a list of them and keep it with you in case of an emergency.
  • Research your destination's water treatment plan and if it's safe to drink tap water. Otherwise, bottled water will be required.