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Travel Safety Tips to Prepare for an Emergency

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Travel Safety

Travel & Safety

We have traveled to over 25 countries and lived in up and coming neighborhoods in urban areas, and while we have taken precautions, travel safety has not been a significant concern. Before traveling, we research and note anything that seems unsafe, but on our most recent trip to South Africa, we didn’t pay enough attention to the warning signs. After reflecting on our experience we created a plan to better prepare for future trips. We wanted to share our travel safety prep with others, so if the unthinkable happens, you know what to do.

Travel Safety, Police Car

Our Story

After lunch, we wandered as we usually do, and with lots of people around, stopping to take photos exploring the area. Three men surrounded us and grabbed my bag and attempted to steal our camera equipment. Luckily, they didn’t get much, but the experience of being surrounded and feeling helpless was scary and colored the rest of our trip.

Our Pre-Trip Checklist

Research

1. Check the state department website for any significant travel advisories or political concerns.
2. Register with the smart traveler program
3. TripAdvisor forums for your destination are a great place for past traveler insights. Look for any mentions of neighborhoods to avoid, violence, or crimes.
4. Know the local scams. In most tourist destinations, there are common issues, but each city will have a unique problem.
5. Research the necessary vaccinations or possibly health concerns for the area.

Prepare

A little preparation before your trip may seem unnecessary, but in case of an emergency, it will save you time and give you a sense of control. While most of your accounts are easily accessible via their website or apps, what happens if your phone, tablet or computer cannot be accessed?

1. Inventory Document

Create a password-protected document in your cloud account with the following information: 

credit card account numbers & contact phone numbers
photos of your passport, state-issued I.D. and birth certificate
Inventory of your Tech Gadgets, include model & serial numbers
List of jewelry – add photos and details

2. Insurance

Review your Homeowners or renters insurance policy and Medical insurance to determine the extent of your coverage. Research Travel Insurance for additional coverage; it’s better to be safe and covered.

3. Emergency Contact Information

Add an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact in all your devices. In the event you are unresponsive, the authorities know who to contact.
Create a contact for the local police and embassy for each location you are traveling to during your trip. 
Place a printed version of emergency contacts in your luggage or safe at the hotel and make sure everyone in your party has a copy; it could come in handy if your computer, phone, etc. is unavailable, lost, or stolen. 

4. Health Check

Get any necessary vaccinations. Some require multiple doses so plan enough time prior to travel. Double check over the counter medicines for travel sickness or first aid. Talk to your doctor about your prescriptions, do you have enough to cover your trip?

Day to day safety while traveling

Keep aware of your surroundings.
Take only the minimum you need for the day.
Leave your passport in the safe at the hotel.
Take only one credit card and use your state-issued I.D. to confirm your identity. 
Limit your cash on hand, keep only a minimum for tips, small snacks, etc. and souvenirs. 
Back up your images each day. You can upload them to the cloud or portable drive. It would be terrible to lose all the memories you created. 

If the unthinkable happens

We hope you never experience trouble on your trips but if you took care and prepared for the possibility, it can be a little less upsetting. We know from experience, the feeling of helplessness and distress is overwhelming. But having a clear plan helped us settle down and gave us a sense of control.

If you are mugged or hurt?

Get to a safe place or get help. The number one priority is to make sure you and your family are ok.
Contact the police – We had very little stolen, and the local police were not much help. The police response we encountered is unique to the area, and most police are quick to support tourists.
File a Police Report – You will need a police report for insurance claims. So make sure you report the crime and get a copy of the police report.
Cancel All Accounts involved
Contact your doctor at home to consult with the local doctor

If your passport is lost or stolen?

Contact the Embassy or Consulate and make an appointment.
Prepare for your appointment by gathering copies of your passport and id’s.
Get a new passport photo taken.
Complete the passport application either online or download the form.

If you are traveling within 48 hours

Visit the State Department Lost Passport section to complete the necessary paperwork. With a police report and your saved documents, you should be able to get on your flight. Allow extra time to navigate the security.

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Travel Safety

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