Prevention traveling abroad

There is no way to be 100% safe from any threat, in any aspect of life. Risk is also an integral part of the travel adventure, but it can be managed in a way to minimize the chances of becoming a victim. Consider:

1.- Situational awareness.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Project security and confidence, potential attackers can sense this through your body language, this way you can—eventually—avoid becoming a target.

2.- Trust your instincts!
If you feel uncomfortable and don't know why, stop and pay more attention to the situation. Don't discount your instincts, they have kept humans safe for thousands of years.

3.- Learn about the most common travel scams.
Each country has its own special scams to watch out for!
We all think that it is not going to happen to us or that we are too smart to be scammed, but unfortunately it happens and more than we think.
Being informed helps us prevent.

4.- Write down the emergency information.
If an incident occurs, under a situation of stress or shock you may not be able to think clearly and may not have time to look up emergency numbers or directions to your hotel or the nearest embassy in your country.
Don't put yourself in that position. Instead, record and store that information in a safe place ahead of time and create an “Emergency Plan” that you can follow if things go wrong.

5.- Lock up your valuables.
Here, you must observe the prevention guidelines that are recommended for functioning on public roads. For example, it is not wise to show off. Leaving aside the fact that traveling with something very valuable is usually a bad idea, there will always be something that you can't afford to get stolen.
Minimize opportunities for easy theft.

6.- Take out travel insurance.
You never think you need it, until something actually happens.
Review the information page for your destination country before traveling and consider purchasing property insurance, medical insurance, medical evacuation insurance, trip cancellation insurance, etc.

7.- Orientation of premises.
If you really want to know which areas or neighborhoods are safe and which might be unsafe, ask a local resident in the area; Hostel or hotel reception workers are generally pretty good sources of local advice, as are other nationals who happen to be in the country. Regardless, always follow your instinct.

8.- Contact your embassy or consulate.
That way you can constantly stay up to date with the latest security information and, if an emergency eventually occurs, you can contact the embassy quickly and receive important information or assist with an evacuation.

9.- Send your itinerary by email to friends or family.
Once you've determined where you're going and when, make sure someone else actually knows.
That way, in the event of an unforeseen event, they can help notify the corresponding local authorities, the embassy, etc.

10.- Don't share too much with strangers.
Don't reveal too many details about your itinerary, travel plans, or accommodation details to people you just met. If someone asks, answer vaguely, for example, a hotel name other than the one you are staying at.

11.- Save, but not that much.
It may be tempting to save the most money possible with the cheapest accommodation, the cheapest flights and the cheapest activities, but be careful, it's not always the safest way to travel. For example: Economy flights can often arrive in the middle of the night; It is generally not the best time to take a taxi in an unfamiliar city.

12.- Hotels, the safest apartment.
Request a room located above the ground floor, ideally between the third and sixth floors, where the rooms are high enough to prevent easy theft, but low enough to exit the building in case of fire or other contingency.

13.- Be careful with your clothing.
Inappropriate clothing labels you “TOURIST” and makes you a target for scammers, thieves, and worse. The less obvious a visitor appears, the less attention they will receive from the wrong kind of people.
Wearing appropriate clothing is a sign of respect. Many Islamic countries have specific dress codes that are often strictly enforced. Get informed before you travel; Ignoring local customs can seem arrogant and ignorant and, furthermore, dangerous.

14.- Keep your bag/backpack safe.
Most quick grab-and-run robberies occur because the thief can do it easily and has time to escape. Therefore, anything that slows them down will help prevent as thieves will consider it risky.

15.- Tell your bank where you are going.
Most banking services have an online feature to inform the bank or credit card provider about your upcoming trips. Be sure to use it shortly before you leave and keep them informed if your travel plans change. Your trip could suddenly be ruined if your bank detects the use of your cards abroad and thinks you have been the victim of a crime and blocks all your cards and accounts.

16.- Hide cash for eventual emergencies.
Never carry all your cash in one place, take precautions to divide the amounts and carry a hidden amount aside for eventual emergencies. If you can, hide a backup card. Plan ahead and if you are stripped of everything, ask your family or friend for a transfer of the money you previously left them. There are many services for this.

17.- Use ATMs wisely.
Be careful when operating an ATM, preserve your data and your plastics; Be aware of your surroundings.

18.- Do not use the back pocket.
Indeed, it is the easiest place for pickpockets to access.

19.- Safety of food and water.
Eating new and strange foods can be a highlight for many people on their travels through different countries; However, it does not hurt to adopt certain preventive measures:
• Eat at popular places with long lines.
• Watch how they prepare your food.
• Carry translation cards to express your allergies.
• Keep in mind that fully cooked foods are always the safest.
• Eat only fruit that can be peeled to avoid bacteria.
• Drink bottled water or purchase a reusable bottle with a built-in water filter.

20.- Don't be reckless because of the photos.
Know your personal limits! Don't overdo it to the point of hurting or killing yourself. Your life and your health are more valuable than a like. Don't stand on the edge of a cliff if it's very windy, or don't stand on a rock at the edge of the abyss if it seems unstable. Stay away from wildlife, because animals are unpredictable.

21.- Driving and road safety abroad.
Road conditions, laws and driving regulations in other countries may be very different from those in your country. Find out before you travel.

Keep these things in mind when planning your trip:
• Potential hazards and dangerous road conditions.
• Local roads or areas to avoid.
• Availability of roadside assistance.
• Need spare tires, fuel and a map.
• Local laws and driving culture.
• Local emergency numbers.
• Vehicle safety considerations, including seat belts.
• Documents to carry, including special traffic permits.
• Insurance and driver's license.

Travel prevention

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