Top 5 Travel Tips for Safe Travel
When you're going on vacation
to get away from it all, you don't want to leave
safety behind. Whether you are traveling abroad
or driving cross country, there are some things
you can do to help ensure a safe and happy trip.
1. Prevention and preparation are worth their
weight in gold.
Plan ahead in order to minimize problems that
might crop up while you're away from home. Some
of the steps you can take to be ready for emergencies
include:
- Putting together a "medical envelope"
for each member of your family. It should include
a brief medical history, notes on any allergies,
copy of your insurance card and proof of other
medical insurance, as well as copies of prescriptions
for regular medications and an extra prescription
for eyeglasses just in case.
- Make copies of your passport, a list of the
credit cards you are carrying and the phone
number and instructions for notifying your credit
card company if your cards are lost or stolen.
- Bring along a first aid/emergency kit that's
geared for your trip. Depending on your plans,
it may be as lightweight as your favorite pain
reliever and some adhesive bandages for a trip
to a metropolitan city, to a full-fledged first
aid kit for car travel.
2. Keep your money safe - and discourage thieves.
Pickpockets often target ports and other tourist
areas. You can keep your money safe with some
common sense precautions.
- Only carry what you'll need on your person.
Leave the rest back in the hotel or in the cruise
ship safe.
- Wear your money next to your body - under
shirts and jackets.
- If you carry a fanny pack, thread the belt
through your belt loops.
- Tuck your purse or bag under your arm, next
to your body.
- Carry as little cash as possible - and don't
flash it around.
3. Be prepared for auto travel.
If you are traveling by automobile, whether
your own car or a rental, there are precautions
you can take to be sure that you travel safely.
- Get your car thoroughly checked before you
set out - fluid levels, tire pressure - the
works.
- Carry drinkable water with you in the car.
- Pack an emergency kit that includes first
aid supplies, a flashlight, a blanket and other
emergency necessities.
- Opt for roadside assistance insurance, whether
in your own car or in a rental.
- Stop at least every two hours to get out,
walk around and stretch your legs. It will keep
you alert.
- Bring entertainment for the kids if you're
traveling with the children. Entertained children
are far less likely to be a distraction while
you're driving.
4. Keep abreast of travel and health alerts.
There are many events and conditions that can
compromise your safety while you're traveling,
a lot of them outside your control. Political
happenings, outbreaks of disease and unexpected
severe weather can create unsafe conditions
for travelers. The U.S. Department of State
issues regular travel advisories for destinations
around the world on their government web site.
In addition, you can sign up for travel advisories
and alerts on a web site that tracks alerts
issued by many different governments, along
with weather advisories and health alerts. Knowing
political, weather and health conditions at
your destination and at stops along the way
can let you make plans to either avoid them
or be prepared for them. Article:Megan Hazel
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