If there’s one thing you don’t want to happen on your next trip, it’s being targeted by drive-by purse snatchers or even more dangerous criminals. You’re supposed to enjoy your travels when you’re going from place to place, and that means looking at what you’re wearing and what you’re doing to keep yourself as safe as you can.
You might not think about fashion when it comes to your travel safety, but you really should. Purse snatchers, for example, rely on the fact that you’re wearing a loose bag over your shoulder. There are others out there who rely on the fact that you might have a backpack that they can cut open or open from behind and you would never be the wiser.
Instead of a backpack or a purse on your shoulder, going for a STAUD crossbody bag can make you less of a target. You deserve to feel safe wherever you are, so whether you’re switching out to a fanny pack or a crossbody bag, it’s completely up to you. The goal is safety, so let’s take a look at some safety tips that will keep you safe and in one piece on your travels.
- Leave the flashy jewelry at home. Oh, to adorn oneself in jewels is super fun, but not when you’re travelling. Wearing expensive and flashy jewellery is one way to make sure that you are an obvious target for anybody in the crowd. Leave it at home so that you don’t have to worry about anything expensive or sentimental being taken from you. It’s nice to use accessories, but switch out for the cheaper costume jewellery to compliment your outfits if you’re going travelling, rather than have something that’s expensive or worth something to you sentimentally.
- Be responsible when you’re drinking and dressing. It’s an important safety trip for you as a traveller because you want to make sure that you are responsible both in your outfit choices and your drink choices. We’re not saying not to dress down because you deserve to be comfortable, but what we are saying is make sure that you’re wearing comfortable shoes at least so that you can maintain being upright. Keep an eye on your drink at all times, as you would do if you were at home, because no matter where you are in the world, being safe when you are drinking and having fun is vital.
- Be smart about your money. We already talked about purse snatchers, coming to take your purse off your shoulder, but when you’re going out on the town with some friends or even if you’re going exploring to see some of the best sights in the world, you have to be smart about your money and where it’s located. It’s always a good idea to have a travel bank account with an international card or a credit card company so that you can use local ATMs. When carrying cash on your person, a purse, belt or a money wallet that is attached to your body is so much better for you than having your purse in a bag or a backpack, which can get snatched.
- Be wary of popular scammers. Did you know that you can buy backpacks that are impervious to being scanned with RFID scanners? Scams range from the RFID scanners to pick up any bank cards and take your details to using children to play on your sympathy. Being aware of the scams out there in specific countries, as this will help you to feel more prepared.
- Know how to call for help. Emergency services phone numbers are not universal, so you need to know what the emergency services numbers are for each destination you travel to before you get there. It’s also a smart idea to know what the phone number is for the local embassies so that you can be around those who care about your well-being. Hopefully you won’t need it, but keeping this information in your bag is important, as if your phone is taken, you’ll still have the numbers for public telephone calls.
- Use the right bag. A cross body bag is much safer than a shoulder or a handbag like the ones we mentioned earlier. There are so many bags that are made specifically for travellers with features such as slash proof straps, RFID blockers and locking zippers. Investing in a good bag that suits your needs and preferences is going to make a big difference to your travels.
- Bring your travel locks and actually use them. No matter what type of bags you’ve got, bring travel locks with you and actually use them. Locking your bag can be helpful when housekeeping comes around to do their cleaning in your hotel room. You don’t want anybody having access to your things.
- Do what you can to blend in. Tourists often carry very large amounts of cash or valuables with them and are more vulnerable to scams as a result. You can avoid this by blending yourself in and dressing as the locals do. Don’t stop abruptly in the middle of the street to take a picture, and try not to wear giant backpacks that make you stick out like a sore thumb. If you need to ask for directions or consult a map, step inside a shop or a cafe to do so. This way you blend in and you’re not going to become a target.
- Check in with your friends and family. Before you leave, let somebody know where you’re going and who you’re going to be with. Having people know where you are and being able to track you is one of the best things to do in case you lose contact or you get lost. It can seem like a hassle, but ultimately it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Lean on the locals. When you’re checking in at a hotel or a hostel, ask for recommendations about which neighborhoods are safe and which are not so safe. The locals will have more information than you do about where you should avoid. You can mark those places to avoid on your map and feel more in control of your travels at the same time. This will make you feel safer as you go.
- Always be aware of your surroundings. You should make a point to pay attention to what’s going on with you and what’s around you at that moment. Especially at strange places that you’ve never been before. You should be sure that you know what to look for when it comes to your own safety. You don’t want people targeting you because you are distracted or disengaged from your surroundings. It’s important, especially if you’re a solo traveler.
- Always trust your instincts. If someone or something is making you uncomfortable, trust that feeling. Often your subconscious is going to pick up on things that you weren’t aware of even before. You feel your handbag gets snatched off your shoulder or your bag be trifled with.
What you wear, how you act and where you go really does matter when you are travelling, so make sure that you are as safe as possible when you are moving from place to place. Of course, don’t forget to have the time of your life!
