If you’re planning to travel this spring break, you have likely already spent time planning your trip—but have you spent time thinking ahead about how to reduce the chances of a mishap while you’re traveling? While no one wants to ruin their vacation worrying excessively, it is wise to take a few preventative steps to ensure that your time away is not marred by an easily preventable mishap. Check out these tips to keep you safe during your spring break travel:
- Know the places you should avoid. Spend some time before you leave on your trip to learn as much as you can about the place you are going and any areas or activities that may be unsafe so you can avoid them.
- Pack for function, not flash. It is best to avoid bringing anything that’s flashy or expensive (such as jewelry and cameras) on vacation to avoid being targeted by thieves. Instead of carrying large quantities of cash, use ATM’s (in well-lit public areas) to replenish if you need to. If you take credit cards, take only the ones you plan to use and make photocopies of the front and back of them to leave with someone at home. This will make it much easier to cancel your cards if they are lost or stolen while you are away.
- Post your plans and pictures after your vacation. While it’s tempting to post about your vacation plans prior to your departure and share pictures from your trip in real time on social media, for safety’s sake, you should wait until you are home to do so. To avoid giving thieves clues that your home would be an easy target for a break-in.
- Pack for emergency preparedness. Unfortunately, illness and injury do not take vacations—so you should be prepared for them, just in case. Consider whether you need any additional medical insurance while you are away and bring clearly labeled pain and fever relievers and any prescription medications you may need in your purse or carry-on luggage. It’s also a good idea to bring the name and number of your family physician and a travel-size first aid kit with you.
- Have fun, but stay alert. While you definitely want to enjoy your trip, keeping alert and being aware of your surroundings will help you avoid unsafe situations. When traveling with children, discuss with them what to do if they get separated from you while away from home.
For many of us, a vacation offers the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy time away from the regular routine. By exercising common sense and using the tips above, you’ll reduce your risk of any safety mishaps while you are away.