Stay safe
Photo: SuperJet International, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- There are many things that you can do to ensure that you stay safe while traveling. Wikivoyage articles have a "Stay safe" section with location specific advice. This article covers general advice that applies to many destinations.
When travelling, don't take risks you wouldn't be comfortable taking at home. Assessing any risk is difficult unless you know the area and the activity well.
No place on the planet is completely free from safety risks, including your own home. However, gaining understanding about the nature of risk in general, specific threats at your destination, and what you can do to minimize both general and specific risks can go a long way towards a safe trip.
You can't eliminate all risks to your safety, so focus your energy on taking preventative steps proportional to the actual risks. For example, while there is realistically nothing much you can do to predict and avoid random terrorist attacks, car accidents claim the lives of more travelers than terrorism even in many badly hit countries, so focusing on traffic safety is more practical than avoiding random terrorist attacks.
PrepareA ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.
Local laws and customsTravellers are subject to the laws of the country they're in, and need to remember that these laws can differ considerably from those of their home country.
Self defenceIn many cases defending oneself by force may be dangerous. By threatening with force you raise the stakes, and somebody who really wants your wallet will have to neutralise you first, in whatever way.
Stay awareBe wary of possible threats wherever you are; relaxing on a warm beach and newfound friends can provide a false sense of security.
Get inWhile many are nervous about flying and some are afraid of other means of transport, accidents are seldom a major risk in travel between countries: the companies involved need to be cautious not to lose their…
Get aroundThe safest mode of transport depends on the country, and the trip particulars, and it can be very difficult to do a fair comparison.
Carry
Mass gatheringsAny mass gathering, including a place just being busy, involves some risks. Dense crowds are a risk factor for pickpocketing, molestation and other crime, as well as infectious diseases.
SeeSeeing the sights of the area will require you to get out of your hotel room and onto the streets, which in some areas carries a risk of violent crime.
DoWater scooters, snowmobiles, quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles are dangerous modes of transport, although popular at many tourist destinations.
BuyTo buy anything, you'll need money, which may make you a target for theft. To reduce your risks:
Eat
DrinkTaking part in a city's nightlife can be the highlight of a trip; however, nighttime is when the shady people of the city come out, so extra vigilance is necessary.
SleepWhen lodging in a hotel, check the escape routes for your room. Maps and instructions can be out of date. Some hotels and venues have specific fire alarm tones, ask if you are unsure you will recognise them.
Stay healthy
Connect
Crime and scamsAt many destinations, there are dishonest people who try to prey on travellers' money; illegally, or within legal loopholes. A traveller can also be a victim of violence, molestation, vandalism, or other crime.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Stay safe" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: SuperJet International, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons