Staying Safe
While Globe Hopping
Seeing the world is an enriching, rewarding and exciting
experience that everybody should do at least once in his or her lifetime. Unfortunately,
despite how much fun traveling is, your plans usually won't turn out the way
you wanted them to. Some travel mishaps can even ruin them entirely. If you
ever decide to travel the globe, it's important to keep in mind that mistakes
and irritating situations can and will occur. Take precautions before your trip
to make sure both you and your possessions stay safe.
Avoiding
Cash Loss
I have traveled all over and found that keeping money safe is the
number one priority while traveling. According
to Credit Card Insider, one of the safest ways to carry your finances is by
keeping it on a prepaid credit card. They can be secured so that, in the event
they're stolen or lost, your money is safe. Most cards don't show your name,
which protects your identity and keeps fraudulent purchases from being made.
Using a prepaid card is safer because if someone steals it, only the money on
the card is at risk and not your entire bank account. If the card goes missing,
you can cancel it like other cards. These cards are simple to use and are ideal
for student travelers who might be on a gap year or are backpacking through a
country. I would also suggest that you ensure the security of your Internet
connection before loading them from your bank.
Obeying
Foreign Laws
Laws and social rules
vary by location and it's important to learn about and stay mindful of
them. Although breaking social customs won't get you arrested, it's not fun to
be stared at so try to fly under the radar. Depending upon your age, you should
be cautious of the area's alcohol laws. In the US, your blood alcohol level has
to be below .08 percent for you to drive legally. In Ireland, it's zero.
Granted, you shouldn't be driving under the influence, but being legally
conscious can keep you out of trouble. Before you visit a city or town, study
their laws to see if there's anything you should avoid doing that would
otherwise be fine in the US. For example, the US doesn't generally allow open
alcohol on public property, but it's perfectly acceptable in many other places.
Preventing
Illness
Being sick is never enjoyable, but it can be devastating if you
become ill during your journey. If you start feeling
ill, look online for the nearest drug store and try to find some medicine
right away.
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| Universal pharmacy logo, look for one of these. |
Be aware that many countries feature poor-quality medical care so
do everything you can to stay healthy while abroad. Eating healthy is
recommended since your body will be more resistant to germs and viruses. Beware
of the local water, too. In some places, it's not safe to drink and can make
you miserably sick.
___________________________In addition to KC's fantastic points, I would add: check the State Department's website before you travel. If there are travel warnings about the place you will be visiting, they would be listed there. And also have a look at the CDC website. There you will find all the vaccine requirements or suggestions for your travel destination.
Time to go explore!
**KC Owens is a college student who loves traveling, college life, fitness and a good survival kit. He enjoys studying different cultures, meeting new people and leaving his footprint somewhere most people only read about.
