Tip Tuesday: Safe Travel
Travel is one of the best things to do in life. Sadly, seeing what the rest of the world to offer isn't without its risks. Today I'm going to share with you a few ways you can prepare for and potentially minimise any risks you may encounter.
Do Your Research
Do some research into where it is that you're going. The UK Government has a useful site that offers advice for over 200 countries. It covers everything from terrorism to any health concerns they have surrounding a country. I imagine most Governments would have an equivalent, so make this your first port of call.
Other than than, do some research online. I find Reddit to be a particularly useful resource but other than that a quick Google search will usually get you started. See what comes up and plan accordingly.
Safety In Numbers
While travelling as a group might not be up your alley, there's definitely a degree of comfort that comes from travelling with others. When you're out of your comfort zone, it's nice to be with people who are in the same boat as you. In most situations, you'll be thankful that someone else was there, especially when you're in a totally different environment.
While being independent provides a true escape, there are some situations where I just wouldn't advise being alone just in case something goes wrong. For example anything involving a lot of alcohol. If you're at a party or bar event and you're alone and drunk, you open yourself up to a lot of potential problems. Having someone there looking out for you could prevent your trip taking a turn for the worst.
Like I said it's just advice but it's better to be safe than sorry I think.
Sort Some Medical Supplies
Before leaving, make sure you have a pretty comprehensive medical kit to fall back on. Things like painkillers; plasters; bite creams and the likes should be high up on your 'to pack' list. They're items you're pretty much guaranteed to use, if not yourself but by someone else (who will be grateful of them). Having a medical kit will mean that you can fix most ailments without having to shell out for a trip to the doctor.
That being said, if you're DIY's aren't working do spend the money and see a doctor. While it might put a dent in your spends, it could save your life.
In the same vein, check with your doctor to see if you need any vaccinations or anti-malaria tablets. It's easy to forget these things but just check you're up to date and protected.
Passport/Visa Checks
I feel like this goes without saying but check your passport is in date and has the right amount of time left on it. Some countries specify that you're passport has to have at least x amount of months left on it, so make sure to check for that.
Also check whether you need to apply in advance for a visa, or whether you can get one on arrival. If you're visiting multiple countries, you're likely to need multiple visas so just do your research and make sure you'll be able to enter at the border. After all, no one wants to travel thousands of miles and then be turned away.
Just a note for anyone who might be travelling to the USA, they've recently changed the rules so that you now need a biometric passport to enter the country. If you're passport has a microchip then you're good to go, otherwise it's best to renew your paper passport to get on before booking any travel to the states.
Insurance Is Everything
You've probably been told this by everyone but do not travel without an appropriate insurance policy.
Make sure you've got all your electrical items covered and a good amount of medical and you should be good to go. Even if you don't need it, there might come a day you do and you don't have it. In those kinds of situations you're exposing yourself to a potentially limitless bill and of course you'll receive absolutely nothing if something is stolen or lost. That's a travellers nightmare I think, so get insured people!
Sharing Is Caring
When you're on the go it's not always a priority to get in touch with people or go online but it has its uses. If you're alone especially, take five minutes to send a quick e-mail of your whereabouts and future plans each day. Better still, leave a detailed itinerary with friends or family before you leave and update them if anything changes. By doing this, is something does go wrong, people will at least know where you are or are likely to be. It'll keep your loved ones content and you might be thankful you took those five minutes to do it.
Accept You Can't Cover Everything
Of all the tips I've given you guys, I think this is the most important. Do as much as you can to prepare and feel comfortable about your travels but don't focus on the negatives. At the end of the day, there will always be situations that are out of your control. You can do everything to prevent them but sometimes, s**t happens. All you can do is dust yourself off and carry on.
Until that time comes, travel and enjoy it. Say yes to as much as you're able to and enjoy every second of it. Life shouldn't be spent sweating the small stuff.
So get prepared, be safe and go have fun guys!
0 comments