Travelling overseas will no undoubtedly be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. The excitement of travelling new continents and country's, experiencing different cultures and cuisines as well as laws and religions. But there is always a risk small or large that you may be prone to potential crimes, as it an unfortunate element of travelling overseas. BUT! you can certainly do much to avoid becoming a potential victim with some common sense and keeping your wits about you!
1) Ensure you have appropriate vaccinations:
It is always wise before travelling to a new country to ensure that you are in good health and aware of any potential health risks. Your Doctor can provide you with recommended vaccines and medication (Such as Malaria tablets) should you find yourself feeling unwell.
2) Make electronic copies of you important documents:
Making an electronic records of your documents such as plane tickets, travel insurance, passport etc. is highly recommended. By saving these on a device and emailing them to your inbox it ensures that if these documents were damaged that you would have a back up.
3) Don't carry everything together:
Although tempting and convenient it is best not to keep all your items together. It is recommended that any cash, cards, Identification or travelers checks that your are not using locked up in your hotel room. This will help prevent you from losing everything if you where to lose your wallet.
4) Don't carry items in your back pocket
Pick pocketing will occur in certain parts of the world, and it is known to target tourists specifically. Do not keep anything in your back pocket, this includes phone, wallet or even hotel keys. In doing do you open yourself to opportunists thieves and swift pickpockets.
5) Don't talk to strangers
Of course being in a foreign land you will want to immerse yourself and interact with the locals and rightly so! This tip is more to encourage an element of caution, do not be so quick to tell strangers your plans, where you are staying or you life story and personal information. It is recommended also not to accept food or drink from strangers who seem untrustworthy and MOST importantly do not go anywhere with them unless they are a licensed tour guide!
6) Drinking too much
Drinking too much alcohol and becoming too intoxicated can complicate things hugely and open a whole element of risks. When drinking it is recommended to do so with an element of caution, small steps such as drinking water and eating some food along the way but also keep an eye on your drink, if you have left your drink alone for sometime you should just buy a new one to avoid the risk of being spiked. By keeping smart you can still have a fun time and enjoy yourself!
7) Don't wear expensive jewelry
Expensive jewelry is guaranteed to grab the attention of opportunist thieves, it could be someone in the street or even a fellow traveler staying in your accommodation. Overall it is recommended that jewelry of large expense or sentimental value should be left at home or in a safe place.
8) Don't use your credit card in internet cafe's
With growing convenience and access of the internet criminals are finding more and more ways to commit identity theft. Internet cafes are very convenient to travelers to grab a quick cup of coffee and to send emails and update their family and friends of their adventure. But be wary, criminals have been known to use key logger software to copy users credit card details, so it's best to pay for the computer with cash.
9) Be properly insured
Many people believe that they do not need travel insurance, but this couldn't be further from the truth! Your health insurance may provide some international coverage, but the chances are high that it will not cover potential illness, injury or even death. It is important that your belongings are insured as well, just for the simple reason that anything could happen to them! All of this will prevent you being left out of pocket in a foreign land.
10) Research your trip
Finally, make sure you research the destinations you are going to and the routes and transport you will take to get there. Good planning will help ensure you know what you are going into and minimize potential risks.
