Keeping Yourself Safe

Work with an experienced travel agent. Once when I mentioned an exotic destination to an agent, she replied “There is NO WAY I’m sending you there”. It wasn’t until later, after I had done some research on my own, that I realized how right she was. At that time the location was not safe for tourists.

If you'll be flying, for air travel safety information, your first stop should be the TSA (Transporation Security Administration) site for travelers. Here you will find up to date information on what you can carry on board an airplane and what you must place in your checked luggage.

If you travel internationally, check out the U.S. Department of State travel site. This is the place to learn about current areas that are not safe for tourists.

Protect your health when your travel. Do you need to take anti-malarial pills? Do you need a yellow fever shot or other vaccination? For concerns about staying healthy when I travel, I use MD Travel Health. It's a very user friendly and thorough site.

Don't forget to check the weather. You want to make sure you have the right clothes. Check the CURRENT weather at a site like AND what the weather is NORMALLY like. (For typical weather conditions check out www.worldclimate.com.) Protect yourself by being prepared for BOTH.

Will you be driving abroad? A great resource for safe car travel information is the Association for Safe International Road Travel website. You'll find information on seasonal road hazards and the typical driving patterns of drivers in other countries. Also, protect your belongings by never keeping anything in sight inside the car. Put everything into the trunk BEFORE you park at your destination.

Keep yourself safe when camping. For camping safety you need to be prepared for sudden weather changes, allergic reactions to insects and plants and the possibility of getting lost. Camp safely by having extra clothing, maps, a first aid kit, flashlight, waterproof matches and clean drinking water.

Check into purchasing travel insurance . We buy it for our international trips. Why? Piece of mind. IF something happens, the insurance company can be a wonderful resource for assistance.

When in a foreign country it is not safe (and could be illegal) to change money on the street. Use your hotel or go to a bank. Personally, we prefer to use ATMs. Just practice the same safe procedures that you would at home. Like putting your money away BEFORE exiting the ATM area. (If you don't already, get a 4 digit pin and memorize the numbers. Many international ATM machines require a 4 digit pin and don't have letters on the keys.)

Buy a travel map of your destination(s) BEFORE you go. Learn the 'lay of the land' before you take off. Locate the airport. Locate your hotel and the quickest route from the airport. (This will help you know if the taxi driver takes the LONG way around, as our Madrid driver did. No tip for him!) Locate major tourist areas AND areas that are not safe and need to be avoided. Have your hotel arrange a city tour for you with one of their recommended guides.

To give yourself another level of comfort in a strange country, learn a few phrases in the local language. There are lots of resources online. Other resources include your local library and your school district's adult education program. Or go with a group. This is a particularly good option if you don’t know the local language.

And I haven't forgotten. Traveling with your pet? Check out the tips for Safe Pet Air Travel from the Humane Society and TRIPSwithPETS for even more information.