The document provides 5 essential tips for travel safety: 1) Leave an itinerary and emergency contact with a friend so someone knows your travel plans and location in case of emergency. 2) Scan a copy of your passport to have identification available instead of carrying your actual passport. 3) Research local emergency numbers and contact information for your country's consulates/embassies in the area you are visiting. 4) Be aware of escape routes and nearby safe places when in unfamiliar areas. 5) Guard your cash, valuables, and electronics so they are not easily stolen or swiped.

1. 5 Essential Tips
For Travel Safety
by Mickael Marsali

2. While a vacation is an opportunity
to take in the beauty of a new city
or country, it is also a time when
your safety could be in jeopardy.
Many people will be able to tell
you’re a tourist and some may
take advantage of the fact that
you are out of your depths.

3. Here are a few key travel safety
tips that you’ll want to keep in
mind on your next vacation:

4. 1. Leave an itinerary
and emergency
contact with a
friend

5. It can be refreshing to unplug
from your life, but it’s important
that you’re somewhat connected
so that you can ensure your safety.
Make sure you leave an itinerary
with a trusted friend or family
member back home.

6. The itinerary doesn’t have to be
detailed; it could just include
which city you’ll be visiting and
when you’ll be coming back. Try
to check in with this friend or
family member every day.

7. This way, they can alert the
authorities on your behalf if
something happens. This is
especially important if you’re
traveling solo.

8. 2. Scan a copy of
your passport

9. We all know that travelling
internationally requires a
passport, but once you get to your
destination, you should lock your
passport safely in your hotel so
that it doesn’t get stolen.

10. Before you leave the country, scan
a copy of your passport so you can
use the copy while you’re out and
about instead of using the
passport itself.

11. In addition to decreasing the
chances of your passport getting
stolen, this makes replacing your
passport easier in the event that it
does get stolen.

12. 3. Research and
keep emergency
numbers

13. Remember that emergency
numbers are different
everywhere. In each destination,
you should find out the local
emergency hotlines. Save these
numbers to your phone,
preferably on speed dial, in case of
emergency.

14. You should also research the
consulates or embassies of your
home country that are closest to
where you’re staying. Save those
phone numbers and addresses in
your phone as well.

15. 4. Know your
escape route

16. Take note of specific buildings and
landmarks when you’re walking
around in unfamiliar areas. It’s
always good to know of a
“friendly” place nearby, such as a
bar, shop, cafe or gas station, so
that you can go there if you ever
feel threatened.

17. Once you duck into this place, you
can either call for help or wait for
the threat to pass. You should also
review the escape route in your
hotel. Once you check into your
hotel, take a look at the
emergency escape routes.

18. 5. Guard your cash
and valuables

19. When you leave the house, take
some spending money with you
and leave the rest hidden. You
won’t want to show off a big wad
of cash each time you pay.

20. You may also be tempted to have
your smartphone out so that you
can take photos or look up
directions, but be aware of your
surroundings. It is common for
thieves to grab cell phones from
people who are using them and
then run off the train at the next
stop.

21. When you’re having a wonderful
time exploring your surroundings
on vacation, it can be easy to
forget about your personal safety

22. But when you’re traveling to a
foreign country, this is a the time
to be especially mindful to your
surroundings so that you don’t get
robbed or put in any kind of
danger.

23. Follow these tips to make sure you
can have the safest vacation
possible.