Whether you are traveling for business purposes or vacation, at home or abroad, you’ll want to think about safety. Safety has always been an issue for women, but with today’s crime rates, men need to be concerned, too. Using common sense can help to make any trip safe and happy, instead of a complete nightmare.
It wasn’t too long ago that a single woman could travel to the Caribbean, go casino hopping alone at night, go shopping in town, and enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters without a care in the world. On the other hand, taking a trip to Alaska alone is still not the most prudent action as Alaska has the highest incidence of rape in the country.
In fact, if you perused the internet and read the crime statistics in every major city or country, you would probably be tempted not to travel at all.
To this end, here are ten safety tips for women (and men) travelers.
Know Your Surroundings
Find out as much information about the place you are traveling to as possible, as well as about the hotels and the surrounding areas. If traveling abroad, make a note of where the US consulate is located. Write down phone numbers and keep them with you.
Avoid the Darkness
Avoid areas that are less populated and not well lit. If you want to visit some historic sights, join a group tour. As an example, first time travelers to New York may want to take a walk in Central Park at night. However, unless you are familiar with the park, this is not a good idea.
Dress Down
When traveling anywhere, ensure that you blend in and don’t stand out of the crowd. Walk with an air of confidence and dress like the locals. Timidity can be a catalyst for predators, and wearing those nice new clothes you bought just for this trip can attract the wrong kind of attention.
A friend of mine was at his hotel bar in New York and was taken aside by the bartender. The bartender told him to go take off all his jewelry and his fancy outfit and to put on a plain old pair of jeans and a t-shirt, because there were criminals around, just watching for an obvious tourist like him to rob.
Find Other Tourists
If you are vacationing, hook up with a sightseeing tour or sign up for a group tour with your travel agent. If you find yourself alone at a café or other public venue, you may want to strike up a conversation with other tourists.
Let Someone Know Where You Are Going
Always leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member or friend. If you plan to take a side tour to a destination that is not on the itinerary, contact both your friend, and your embassy, and let them know what your plans are.
If you don’t have a structured itinerary, let the people around you know where you are going – the desk clerk at your hotel, the bartender, or use your cell phone to tell a friend or family member.
Watch Out for Thieves
Thieves usually cover the areas that tourists are most attracted to. For example, walking along the Champs Elysees in Paris with a large handbag makes you vulnerable to thieves. Without your realizing it, they can bump into you, steal your wallet, and run off. In Rome, on the other hand, many thieves use scooters. They can whiz by, snatch your handbag, and you’ll never see it again. Dress down and utilize a shopping bag instead of a handbag or backpack.
Be Aware
If you are dining out or visiting several pubs, be extra careful. Women can be drugged by unscrupulous characters looking for a good time, or looking for an obvious tourist to rob.
Bring Your Own Locks
Be sure that your hotel has adequate security. If necessary, place a chair against the door or bring a wooden doorstop or other portable safety lock with you on the trip.
Obtain a Street Map
No matter where you are traveling to, bring a street map with you. If you do get lost, go into the nearest shop or look for the nearest telephone and call the embassy. Do not allow anyone to drive you to your destination. If they insist, walk away quickly.
Carry Protection
It is important to carry some form of protection or device with which you can alert others that you are in trouble. A whistle and/or pepper spray may be warranted. However, check with the local consulate or embassy to determine if the pepper spray is legal in that particular country.
I hope these tips will not make you overly anxious, but will cause you to think about your safety, so your trip will be a good one.
