11 Safety Travel Tips To Remember Before Your Next 'Cuti'
A good reminder.
Planning your next adventure?
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While it's important to live in the moment and to just enjoy your break, don't forget to stay alert no matter which country or city you visit.
Tourists are often prime victims of pickpocketing and other crimes, as they're usually carrying around valuable items and are more vulnerable to such cases.
Here's a checklist of 11 safety tips you can take note of before and during your holiday:
1. Don't have your hotel card and room number attached to your hotel key card
If you lose your hotel key card or get it stolen, and the room number is attached to it, it's extremely dangerous as the pickpocket can access your room at any point.
Make sure that your room number is not attached to your hotel key card when you're heading out and inform your hotel front desk immediately if it goes missing during your trip.
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2. Split up your cash with your travel group or in different pouches/bags, so that it's not all in one place
This is important especially if you have all the cash for your trip on hand. It also reduces the chances of losing all your money at one-go if your wallet or pouch gets stolen.
Split your cash into different pockets and sections of your bag or purse. If you want to take it a step further, you can even secure it to your body with a travel waist belt.
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3. Take note of what to do in case your wallet or passport gets stolen
Always be prepared if your wallet or passport gets stolen, as you'll need to immediately cancel your debit and credit cards. Make sure that you have Internet / roaming services in order to do so, or someone you can contact back home who can immediately do it for you.
Have local emergency numbers on hand wherever you are visiting, such as embassies and local police.
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4. Unless you're Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian with bouncers surrounding you, don't flash your valuables
As a tourist, you're bound to attract attention in a new country. Try your best to steer clear of this. For example, avoid wearing expensive jewellery or carrying large cameras. And always, ALWAYS keep your valuable items on you.
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5. Buy travel insurance before your trip if possible
Travel insurance can cover anything from cancelled flights and personal accidents, to baggage delays and the loss of important documents.
If you can afford to spend a little more on travel insurance, this can be a good safety measure should anything unfortunate happen on your trip.
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6. Pack a first-aid kit with basic necessities
Having some basic medicines on hand is helpful when travelling, including items like paracetamol, band-aids, etc.
This can be useful, especially if you're travelling to a country that doesn't speak the same language and it might be difficult to find a pharmacy or hospital.
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7. Be aware of your surroundings and belongings when travelling, especially in crowded places and on public transport
Pickpockets can be found anywhere, in any country. If they're professionals, it makes it harder to catch them. Sometimes they travel in groups or syndicates, and finding proof in a new country can be a hassle.
Reduce the chances of getting things stolen by always being aware of your surroundings and your valuables.
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8. Don't leave your bag or belongings out of sight, not even for a moment
This can prevent people from stealing your stuff or putting illegal items in.
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9. Never help carry someone else's bag through security
If someone approaches you asking you to help them carry their things through airport security, gently turn them down, as this could be a method some smugglers use.
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10. Update the people close to you on your itinerary — or keep them in the loop on what's happening
Whether it's a short weekend trip or a longer holiday, let your friends or family members know where you will be and for how long.
It's not to show off about your fun holiday, but more for your safety and so, they can help if anything goes wrong.
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11. Don't be dumb just for photos
Every now and then, you hear of tourists falling off cliffs while trying to take that perfect picture or getting in trouble for disrespecting religious landmarks.
Don't be dumb, just don't. That photo or video is not worth getting injured or in trouble with local authorities.
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Avoid taking photos of your plane tickets and passport details when travelling as this could happen:
If you're staying in an Airbnb or hotel, here are some cautionary measures to take note of as well:
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