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We all get excited about going on vacation. After all you’ve spent weeks, months or even a year planning the perfect trip and it’s finally here. As you’re getting ready to leave what’s the one thing everyone says? Be safe! But how do you stay safe while traveling? Implement these travel safety tips written in partnership with Scout and you’ll do just just.
Travel Safety Tips Before You Go
Pack Over the Counter Medication
Getting sick on vacation sucks! What’s worse is not being able to get better because there is no pharmacy near you, the medication you’re used to isn’t offered where you are, or you can’t even read the labels because they are in a different language. I remember being so happy I had Motrin for my daughter when she got sick while we were in Costa Rica. It was the middle of the night and the last thing I would want to do is have to wait until the next day to give her some relief and spend who knows how long searching for some.
Know Where the Nearest Hospital is to Your Hotel
On the same lines another travel safety tips is knowing where the nearest hospital is to your hotel. When we traveled to Orlando with a friend her son got sick in the middle of the night and she had to take him to the emergency room. Knowing how far one was and if it made more sense to drive herself or call an ambulance really helped. Imagine having to figure this out at 2AM when you’re exhausted.
Secure Your Home
You’re going on vacation, not moving, so you want to come back to your home the same way you left it. We secure our home with Scout, it’s an independent home security system that allows us to protect our home wherever we are. Protecting our home is a must but it doesn’t mean we have to spend a crazy amount on security. Scout is affordable and offers flexible monthly plans starting at $9.99/month or $107 for the year. My favorite part is it’s an easy, DIY install so I don’t have to schedule an appointment for a technician to come to your home. Use the app to secure your home from anywhere.
Make Copies of Your Passport and Email Them to Yourself
When we were leaving Brussels to head to Amsterdam my backpack with our passports was stolen at the train station. Thankfully I had copies in my email which makes the process of getting a new passport smoother. In addition to emailing yourself a copy you can also print one and leave it in your hotel room, especially if carry your passport on you.
Prepare Your Children
If you’re traveling with kids make sure they are aware of safety tips too. Besides having our phone numbers memorized we make sure the girls know the name of our hotel. If they have a cell phone make sure their location is on and you have access to find their phone in case you get separated.
Travel Safety Tips While You Are At Your Destination
Ask for the Local Emergency Number
911 is not the emergency number in every country. If something happens to you when no one else is around you’ll need to call help yourself. The middle of an emergency when you’re probably panicking is not the time to look up the emergency number in that country.
Use a Fanny Pack
Listen, fanny packs are back and for good reason. Putting your phone, wallet or other valuables in your pocket makes it easy for thieves to steal it. Even putting things in your backpack can be easily taken as you wear it on your back. Using a fanny pack puts your valuables in front of you where your eyes are always on them and makes it harder for them to be stolen. There are some really fashionable ones now too, like this one I got before our trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Bring Your Own Carbon Monoxide Detector
Whether you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb laws in other countries are different. The place you’re staying may not have a carbon monoxide detector and unfortunately their have been tourist deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning. So be prepared and travel with you own like this one.
Add a Lock to Your Hotel or Airbnb Door
So many times I’ve heard stories of people checking into a hotel and then getting to the room they were given a key for and walking in on other guests or seeing all of their stuff in there. Once my mom was staying at a hotel and someone who worked there opened her room door while she was sleeping. I couldn’t imagine the fear that would ensue if that happened to me. With both hotels and Airbnb’s there is always someone who has a spare key. To keep yourself safe bring your own additional lock. I bought this one for my solo trip to Tulum and now bring it on all of our trips (here’s a cheaper alternative). It was my first solo trip so I even bought this door alarm as well.
You May Be Interested in Reading: 8 Tips to Guarantee a Great Airbnb Experience
Travel Safety Tips When You Return from Your Trip
Check Your Credit Card Activity and Bank Statements
The immediate weeks following a trip I keep an eye on my credit card activity and bank statements. It is so easy for people to steal your account information without even touching your card. There are all these scanners that allow thieves to just swipe your information with you knowing. It’s also a good reason to put your cards in a RFID wallet.
Hopefully these travel safety tips will prepare you for your next trip. I know we just want to go on vacation to have fun but making sure our home is safe while we are traveling and that we stay safe while away is important. Did you find this post helpful? Please share it!
*This blog post was sponsored by Scout but all opinions are my own and true.*