10 Travel Safety Tips That No Longer Work (And What to Do Instead)
For many years, traveling around the world has been of great curiosity, and in many ways, many decades’ worth of safety tips have been handed down to travelers for a safe journey. But as times have changed so have the risks associated with travel. Some old-school advice that used to work might not work now.
If you’re still stuck on these old strategies, now may be the time to consider a new way to stay safe on your trip.
Avoid Flashy Jewelry
Old advice tells us not to wear flashy jewelry to tour new areas to avoid drawing attention. As helpful as this advice remains, scammers tend to target tourists for a range of reasons aside from the jewelry they wear especially since we have portable cards, electronics, and other valuables which may be of more value than they appear. The general advice is to stay alert especially when you have valuable items on you. if you can, leave them at home.
Only Stay in “Safe” Areas
Back in the day, it was common sense that you stayed away from the lesser-known, less touristy mountain hideaways and opted for more well-traveled and known areas, however, criminals often lurk in more commonly traveled areas precisely because tourists go there. Instead, you should do thorough research about the area you are visiting, and consider staying in a smaller, less popular area to blend in with the locals.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is not secure, but it is an unrealistic expectation for tourists to avoid using public WiFi when they are on the move. When you are on public networks, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection and protect your data. There are plenty of affordable and stress-relieving VPNs out there when you’re on the road.
Make Copies of Your Passport and other Documents
There’s still a need for a backup of your passport, but printing physical copies just might not be the most secure option anymore. Physical copies are a travel blunder and can get lost, stolen or damaged. Today, by storing the digital copies in secure cloud storage services like your Google Drive or Dropbox, and accessing them on your devices, your important documents can be secured better.
Don’t Talk to Strangers
It’s a tip that’s been drilled into your head from your childhood, but when you’re traveling solo, sometimes talking to strangers can result in helpful advice (or even friendships). In choosing not to isolate yourself, the use of discernment is best but not exclusive. So, if someone comes across as being overly interested or insisting you make a decision now, trust your instinct and shrug them away. But small talk with locals is rewarding otherwise.
Don’t Post on Social Media
Posting after your trip is a good idea to avoid announcing your absence for days in our social media world, but sharing real-time experiences can be exciting and is something people often like to do. Adjusting your privacy settings to allow only close friends to view your posts and avoid posting specific and private information like your location or travel itinerary will be a better strategy.
Everything Should Be Included in the Pack for a First Aid Kit
In the past, first aid kit was standard advice, but making it too bulky with unnecessary items can contribute to your luggage weight. Pharmacies and stores are practically on every street, even in foreign countries today, unless you go into desolate and far-out places. Just curate a need-based packing list and you are good to go.
Carry a Fake Wallet
This one is clever though; keeping a decoy wallet and having your cash stashed away surreptitiously in case you get robbed might work, however, most experienced thieves know this trick. Don’t try to outsmart them. Instead, scatter your valuables in different locations. Put some cash in your shoe, in a secure money belt and the rest in your hotel safe.
Keep Money in a Neck Pouch
Do you remember those bulky awkward neck pouches? They might have been trendy in their day, but they scream TOURIST! They can also be pretty uncomfortable. Instead, opt for a slimmer, RFID-blocking wallet deftly hidden in your jacket or pant pocket. According to Travel Sentry, it’s more discreet and keeps you safe from thieves who will steal your card information with an RFID scanner.
Dress Like Everyone Else
The idea here is great, but sometimes dressing exactly like the locals will mean that you stand out all the more, particularly in places where you are obviously a tourist. Dress comfortably and modestly, and be conscious of cultural norms.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
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