The past year has been a strange one. Challenges most of us could not imagine. The first major shift for this generation
Luckily, the world is slowly getting back to ‘normal’. The problem is, it’s so long since we travelled we have to get back into the old routine, but with a couple of extra thoughts about safety.
It’s really easy to forget some basic common sense safety ideas when you are away from home.
You’re going hiking and just want to get away from stress, not think about the bad things, right? It’s supposed to be relaxing.
… you’ve slipped on the trail and dropped your pack down a serious ravine. You watch it roll in slow motion, pondering all your worldly possessions disappearing into the distance, never to be seen again. On top of that, your ankle is swelling up rapidly.
Once you put on your flip-flops (or thongs if you’re from down under) you don’t want to be sensible, you’re on holiday you want to have fun fun fun.
… your flip-flops catch on a kerbstone hidden by beach sand, you cut your foot badly on a piece of rusty wire in the gutter.
Skiing at high speed is for risk takers, right?
… you go skiing, nothing happens… Phew, I’m not here to scare you. Travel is amazing. I want you to travel again, if your destination can accept visitors.
Make sure you do your research, don’t be that arrogant traveller who goes far afield with the attitude that it’s all about them.
Saying no to that risky fun trip can be hard if all your friends are dragging you by the hand.
It’s very easy to take a few steps to protect yourself, your possessions and your loved one’s stress levels. They love you, they worry, it’s their job!
I want you to be safe so I can hear all about it when you get into a Wi-Fi zone.
Take out travel insurance
Insurance is boring, and sometimes costly. Life is a risk. I know but I can’t stress this enough. For years I managed travel insurance claims, everything from a bag stolen on a beach, to someone in a serious accident in a distant foreign language land. Trust me here, I know what I’m talking about.
Be honest with your insurers. Yes, always.
You may pay a few dollars more to get cover after declaring e.g. pre-existing medical conditions. That extra premium is way cheaper than having a claim refused due to lack of disclosure.
I want you to have money to do what you love, not have to ask your family to sell their home to pay your medical bills. I know that sounds extreme, but trust me, it happens. To tell a family that not only is their child going through life-changing injuries, or may not survive, and then to tell them they have to find the money for repatriation is not a conversation you want to have. I did that more than once.
Documentation
Carry a paper copy of your important documents
Include your insurance details (policy number and emergency claims phone number)
You are highly unlikely to have the accident in your hotel room near the safe. If you’re unconscious (OMG I’m all doom and gloom eh?) a doctor can find the information much easier in a pocket than in your computer hard drive.
If you have a travel buddy, a quick copy of each other’s papers takes a few minutes but can be massively helpful to any emergency workers / hospital, etc.
Carry paper copy of passport, and other relevant identity, visa or license cards. In some countries, it’s a legal requirement to carry documentation.
If you lose the original, it’s much easier for consulate to issue duplicates to get you home again. Spare passport photos are really useful for travel cards too, bonus!
Carry your emergency contact number in your wallet/purse and phone as ICE (In Case of Emergency)
This isn’t necessarily your next of kin. No one wants to get sick, no one wants to have an accident, but s**t happens. Insurance doesn’t stop things going a bit pear-shaped.
Driving?
Keep a copy of all relevant documentation in your vehicle. Remember to take it with you when you hand back the vehicle if it’s a hire.
Drugs
Carry a copy of meds (Photograph of boxes) and prescriptions
Before travelling check the drugs laws in your chosen destinations. Even if you have a prescription, it doesn’t mean you bypass laws away from home.
Solo travelling
Email a copy of your travel documents, passport, itinerary etc to your nearest and dearest so if they get a call they can help.
Learn how to pack your bags
Ha, simple right? Just shove everything from your wardrobe into your bag, Wrong!
Only take things you need with you in the first place, both on holiday and each day. Invest in good bags, waterproof pouches, etc.
Take the right gear for the weather / location.
Relax
Dress appropriately for the destination, and behave confidently.
Chat with hotel staff to find the best, and worse, local places to visit. Let them know where you’re going. An informal chat is a great way to find friends and ensure people will look out for you.
Trust your instincts
Back Home
Make sure you have home insurance. Leave keys with someone you trust, in case of emergency. Give them instructions.
Do you really want them to ring you and spoil your holiday to tell you the bathroom flooded, or your cat throws up on the rug?
These simple steps take so much stress from family and you. No one wants bad things to happen, but they can, so make it easy for others to help you and yours.
COVID
Be a responsible, kind and empathetic member of the global community
Get all the protection you can
Carry and wear masks
Respect local people and communities, this is where you might need to shift your plans. The health services across the globe vary so much. Don’t put pressure on them if you have access to the privilege of travel.
COVID is putting pressure on health services, everywhere. Do your bit to protect health care services for those who need it.
Extra Basic Safety Tips
Take photos of taxi licence plates and registration details
Learn some basic self-defence
Know how to contact your embassy/high commission
Know how to contact the emergency services….
Scan everything or take photographs and upload it on Google drive. (Other
cloud services are available)
Get a phone tracker and share with a trusted friend
New places are an education. Education is power.
I hope I’ve inspired you to travel safely, tweet me from your next coffee stop!
Let me know your favourite travel safety tip.
