Last Updated on 1 year by Namrata
Many changes came to the travel industry after the coronavirus pandemic hit the travel industry so badly. The safety concern has risen among the travelers. Apart from the common travel-related issues that were important and now are important too, I have included some special health safety tips. Many will be traveling this year to dream destinations. That’s why I thought to write a post about holiday travel safety post covid.
When the word “safety” comes to our mind, we think of only being free of terrorism, and crimes. We simply leave important issues like weather, political situation, travel agencies, health facilities, insurance, etc.
1. COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACE YOU ARE GOING TO VISIT
When you visit a new place, it is always better to research the new place. Know about their culture, religions, and living styles.
Read books, and articles, watch videos, and gather as much as bits of knowledge as you can gather.
2. PLAN EVERYTHING BEFORE YOUR JOURNEY
Planning everything before starting a trip reduces any hazards and increases safety. The plan should be noted on paper and write down the places you will visit on the trip.
This will also help you to estimate the date of departure back to the homeland. If you join the places with a line, you can plan a beautiful round trip.
This way your trip becomes more structured and you can safely end the vacation.
3. DOWNLOAD AN OFFLINE MAP OF THE PLACE
It is very crucial to download the offline map of the place. An offline map can be used anytime and anywhere.
You will still have the Google map app installed. I suggest you download the mappy app, this app will help you to navigate Europe effortlessly.
4. LEARN A FEW SIMPLE WORDS OF THE LOCALITY
Learning a few foreign language words can be hard. But learning a few words can be helpful for exploring a new country.
Hello, Thanks, goodbye: saying these words in their language can bring smiles to someone’s face.
5. KEEP A POCKET KNIFE WITH YOURSELF
Keep a pocket knife which can be helpful in many ways. You may need that knife for opening a beer can to safeguard yourself from unexpected threats.
6. CONTACT YOUR OWN EMBASSY IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY
Especially, if you are traveling to Middle Eastern countries like Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan; you should definitely contact the embassy of your country. In case any unforeseen happens you may get help as earliest as possible.
7. THINK REALISTIC
Think realistic when you are invited by some unknown for dinner in an unknown place. Many times in NewsPaper we read about missing, rape victims of tourists.
It is better to avoid unknown persons in a foreign place. You may not know what thought is cooking in his or her mind.
8. CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS
Here is a story of a British woman who was chased by a Nepalese woman while tracking in the Himalayas.
I do not know the exact situation. But after reading and watching YouTube videos my view is- when you are in a foreign country in a deserted place where no one is present it is better to control your emotions.
Avoiding the verbal exchange of rage is what I prefer not to do in a place where I am desolate.
9. OBEY TO LOCAL AUTHORITY
To support this I have two real stories. One is from North Korea and another is from Andaman(India).
Otto Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment with rigorous labor for trying to steal a propaganda poster.
John Chau was an American missionary who was killed by a tribe living on North Sentinel Island.
In both cases, the victims were aware of the consequences before the catastrophe happened.
Respecting local authority rules and regulations can make your journey safe.
10. RESPECT OTHER’S CULTURE
Respecting other cultures is not going to cost you anything.
#11 DO NOT PUT YOURSELF INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION
The best is to avoid putting yourself in danger. Three YouTubers from the channel “High on Life” were killed in British Columbia in Shannon Falls.
I am not going to blame them for their death. But, danger and situations like this can be avoided if we are conscious of what we are doing.
12. TALK TO LOCALS
Talking to locals can make your trip a lot easier. Locals can give you the best tips in that area.
It will also broaden your knowledge of history and present scenarios of a particular area.
13. NEVER TRUST UNKNOWN PERSONS
This may contradict the previous tip. Here I do not mean to keep yourself isolated and not to make any connections with people surrounding you.
In our Journey, we meet different people, some good and some bad, and most of the time we even couldn’t guess whether good or bad.
Not to trust a single guy and take suggestions from many that’s what I want to say. Better to avoid a night party invited by some random person just met in a cafe.
14. AVOID WALKING ALONE IN THE STREETS AT NIGHT
Nowhere in the world is safe to walk in the night street. Let it be America or an Asian country.
I mean walking in a deserted street where there is no sign of human presence.
Crime incidents are higher at night than during the day. Especially if you are female, no way to roam at midnight in a dark street alone.
15. SAY NOT TO TEMPTATIONS
Temptations can be of food. if your stomach is sick and you cannot resist your temptation to take hot spicy oily food then you are responsible for your own suffering.
Say not to Temptations which is not safe for you.
16. LEFT YOUR VALUABLE ITEMS IN THE HOTEL ROOM
When you leave your hotel room keep the valuable items like your original passport, and documents safely in the hotel room.
Just carry photocopies or pictures of documents with you while going out.
17. KEEP MEDIKIT AND OTHER DRUG SUPPLIES WITH YOU
Keep a first aid kit always with you. In case of any injury or cut, you don’t have to rush to a hospital.
Sometimes packaged drinking water bottles may not be available, in that case, use water purification tablets to purify water before drinking.
18. MEDICAL TRAVEL INSURANCE
Medical Insurance is a good idea for a regular traveler. In 2020, there will be many offers from insurance companies as the traveling industry is growing which is why at the beginning of this year grab an insurance plan.
19. BE MENTALLY STRONG
It is obvious that you will burn out. Especially if you are planning for a long holiday stay, mentally you will get exhausted.
Never forget the joy of completing your journey and sharing the stories with your friends.
20. INFORM YOUR FAMILY/RELATIVES BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR A TRIP
When you leave for a new place, inform your family or relatives about your trip.
This way if something unforeseen happens your family can take the right steps.
21. EMERGENCY NUMBERS
This is the most important of all. If any case something happens you should know whom to call.
Medical emergency number, Police station number, etc of a particular area should be in your contact list.
22. CARRY A MASK WITH YOU
Carrying masks is very important after the COVID-19 pandemic that shattered the world. You should put on a mask when crossing crowded areas.
23. CARRY A HAND SANITIZER
It is always better to be clean. You can get protected from harmful microbes by sanitizing your hands frequently. Always sanitize your hands before digging into food.
24. FULL CHARGE YOUR ALL ELECTRONICS
Power all your electronics in the bag to a full battery. Your cell phone, camera, torch, etc.
25. PACK LIGHT PACK TIGHT
It is better to pack light when you are traveling by flight. Your heavy luggage may be tiresome to carry.
26. DO NOT CARRY EXPENSIVE ELECTRONICS
Carry expensive electronics only if it is obligatory. I carry my costly camera only because I need it for my blog.
27. MAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF VALUABLE IDs
You should have photocopies of your Passport, Credit Card, and ID cards carried in your wallet, and leave the originals safely at the hotel room locker.
28. STAY HYDRATED
Drink more water to stay hydrated. Dehydration may lead to unconsciousness and you may fall down.
29. DO NOT LEAVE PETS AT HOME
If you are leaving home for a longer period, do not leave your pet home alone. Pets need special care. They can not survive without human presence.
30. TRAVEL IN HERD
Traveling in a herd is the best way to explore an unknown place.
31. VACCINE SHOTS
Getting vaccinated prior to traveling to some countries is essential. Ask your doctor what vaccines you need to avoid endemic infections.
32. ARRIVE EARLY AT THE AIRPORT
Arriving early at the airport will not have any delay at the airport checkpoint.
33. DO NOT STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
Wear clothes matching local people. Walk in the street as if you have a purpose, do not show yourself as a tourist wearing a camera belt at the neck.
34. SAFETY AT HOTEL
Lock your room when you go outside your room. Do not invite strangers to your room. Take note of emergency exits, stairwells, and fire escapes.
35. SAFETY AT THE AIRPORT
Do not exchange money at the airport as thieves may be looking at you. Make sure you recognize the official taxis and do not share the taxi with strangers. Always lock doors and keep windows up in the taxi.
36. CARRY MOSQUITO REPELLENT CREAM
Carry a mosquito repellent cream in your bag. Mosquitoes are common in most South Asian countries.
37. KNOW ABOUT THE DANGEROUS ANIMALS IN THE NEW COUNTRY
When visiting a new country research well about dangerous animals present in that country. This information can alert you to encountering dangerous animals like Lions, tigers, elephants, crocodiles, etc on roads.
38. TELL YOUR BANK THAT YOU ARE TRAVELING
When you travel to a new country let your bank know that you are leaving for a new country. So, your bank does not block your credit card suddenly.
39. DO NOT SHARE YOUR LIVE LOCATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Sharing your live location on social media can potentially invite thieves, and criminals to you.
40. USE VPN TO CONNECT TO UNKNOWN WIFI
While connecting to unknown wifi networks always use a VPN. This can protect private information stored on your phone, or laptop.
41. BRING AN EXTRA PAIR OF SPECTACLE
If you use spectacle on a regular basis, losing or breaking your spectacle can be devastating for your trip.
42. EDUCATE YOUR KID WITH PERSONAL INFO
Unfortunately, if you lose your kid in the crowd in a new place. He/She would be able to identify him/her and would be able to tell the home address, your phone number.
43. AVOID ALCOHOLIC MEDICINES
Do not consume alcoholic medicines one hour prior to driving.
44. MAKE FREQUENT REST STOPS
If you are covering a long distance across states/countries, make frequent rest stops. Frequent rest stops will defend you from travel stress.
45. CARRY A POWER BANK
A power bank is very essential if you are traveling long distances.
Thanksgiving holiday travel safety tips
46. Follow Traffic Rules: During Thanksgiving time, you should care about these before going on a trip. Drive following all Traffic Rules: Drive in your own track and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.
47. Check your car: Check your car before leaving. Check engine oil, spare tire, and gas in your car.
Winter holiday travel safety tips
48. Check your windshield washer fluid: Check that your car’s windshield washer reservoir is completely filled with a non-freezing mixture.
49. Look out for upcoming storms: After a few days of the dry spell, there may come wet storms. This may make roads slippery, be careful about the weather.
Christmas holiday travel safety tips
50. Carry enough winter clothes: Carry a few extra warm clothes with you. If you are traveling with kids, cover their bodies well. Do not let cold air come in.
51. Know alternate routes: Research well before leaving. Know all alternate routes you never know when snow or traffic slacks the pace.
Bottom Lines
If you pay attention to your surroundings and use your common sense, your holiday travel can be safer.
No doubt, disaster will not come knocking at your door, but we know that “prevention is better than cure”.
Following my, these 51 tips can help you to move one more step toward safety.
Also Read:
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