Travel Safety Series

Ten safety tips that students studying abroad need to stay safe.

The number of students studying abroad and the real threats that travelers face in a foreign country require a comprehensive risk mitigation plan to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Clients often ask for the best preventive strategies, especially for woman and travelers that fall into the high risk category for victimization. Since our goal is to prevent victimization, these ten tips will add to your safety and could in some cases, save your life and should be shared with your loved ones.

Keep a panic alert button handy when traveling. The simple act of just pushing a button and activating an alarm may be enough to scare away criminals or at least bring attention to their actions.
Always have phone numbers and your accommodation details written on paper and put it in your pocket. This way you'll be able to make your way back safety to your lodging if you get separated from your friends or have your bag/purse stolen. Many clients record their important information in their phone or laptop, which if stolen, the information may be difficult to locate and or replace.
Be careful with the information you share on social media. Specifically, do not publicly post check-ins to your travel spots or selfies – Statistics indicate that house breaks increase when criminals know that your home will be empty. Criminals also have the advantage of knowing what you look like and where you are traveling, which provides them with information they can exploit resulting in potential victimization.
Check to see that your prescription medication is legal in the country where you will be traveling. If you are taking time released medications and traveling through different time zones, you can set an alarm as a reminder for when medication should be taken.
Keep your passport/money safe in a money belt. Many spots around the world have criminal organizations that are expert pickpockets and your passport is a high ticket item for thieves.
Substance abuse and heavy drinking has led to many emergencies, including higher rates of sexual assault, robberies, injuries and death. Criminals focus on easy targets. If you look like a tourist, you are a target and if you are a drunk tourist you are a greater target.
Be prepared for emergencies with a plan in place including phone numbers of who you can talk with and know where you can get help. Having a plan in place can lessen trauma experienced from unforeseen emergencies. Stay in groups and remember night time travel increases your chance of encountering crime. Statistics show higher rates of crime happen at night time.
Never rely on door chain locks for safety. They can usually be easily circumvented. Use a door stop as an extra measure. Do not open your door to anyone you don’t know. Call down to the front desk, if someone knocks on your door that you are not expecting.

Prevent dehydration, sunburns and bug bites. As your body changes to the different climates it is important to stay hydrated. Make sure that all beverages consumed have been sealed prior to your consumption, since criminals involved with sexual assaults and robberies have been known to have drugged their victims. Prevent sunburns and sun poisoning by limiting exposure and use sunscreen with adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The increasing risk from mosquito borne illnesses including zika, dengue and encephalitis require travelers to use a repellant containing Deet or similar chemical deterrent.
Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date and you have an understanding of any medical issues or environmental concerns regarding the country to be visited.

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Follow me on Twitter Carrie Pasquarello @glosecresources

To learn more on how to travel safe email
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Contact:
Global Secure Resources Inc.
1-800-939-0562
info@globalsecureresources.com