We all travel for one reason or another.  Whether for work or leisure, staying safe at all times is vital, especially when traveling with children and solo. While we wish to put our worries aside and enjoy ourselves, we must take precautions to prevent mishaps.

Here are ten steps you can take to travel safely.

1. Don’t Let Your Guard Down

We all want to travel worry-free. No matter where we are, it's important to be alert to our surroundings and not fall victim to any calamities. Don't stay out too late when traveling to a new location, unfamiliar with the area, and out at night. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

2. Share Your Travel Information

Before traveling, share your travel information with someone back home. If you travel alone, periodically check in with a friend or family member. It’s also a good idea to actively share your location for your trip.

3.  Research Ground Transportation

Always book transportation from reputable companies.  If you travel abroad, review the transportation company and make sure they are legit.  If you take public transportation such as a bus or train, keep your personnel on you and near you at all times to avoid being a victim of pickpocketing.  When traveling with a rideshare or taxi, have the GPS on during the entire ride. (Do keep it on silent, though.)

4. Be Familiar with your Surrounding

What restaurants or shopping centers are near your hotel?

Find the nearest hospital, clinic, pharmacy, and police station.

5. Stay Informed

Have the address and the number of the hotel or lodging with you. It will help you in two ways: 1) during your commute, you can ensure you are going the right way, and 2) in case you get lost, you can get help returning to your hotel or lodging.

6. Make Copies of Your Documents

Take pictures of the passports and credit cards you will be traveling with.  Make two copies of each document. Keep one set at home with someone you trust and the other hidden in your hotel room.  If you lose the originals, you have backup copies to rely on.

7. Always Stay Together

When traveling in a group or with family, try to stay together as much as possible.

I have some advice for all my female travelers: Always go to the bathroom with another person. If you are traveling alone, use bathrooms that are well-lit and in public areas.

If you need to separate, predetermine where you will all meet and know exactly where the individual(s) is going.  Share your locations during the trip.

8. Have a Portable Charger

It’s always a good idea to keep a portable charger on you when you are out and about. If your phone's battery is low, you can charge it.

9. Keep a Map

In the era of technology, the last thing we want to do is whip out a map and travel like our parents and grandparents used to.  While having built-in GPS on our phones and tablets is superb, relying heavily on the network? Not so much.  There might be incidents with no network connections; a map will be helpful if you are commuting alone.  

If you are like me and have absolutely no idea how to read a map, then there are plenty of YouTube videos that shows you exactly how to do that. It’s never too late to learn a new skill!

10. Get Travel Insurance

One of the best things you can get while traveling is travel insurance. Travel insurance will help during unexpected events such as trip cancellations and delays, lost baggage, and even medical emergencies.

By following a few simple rules, you can ensure your safety as well as the safety of others. Traveling is a beautiful experience, one that does not have to be daunting. Everyone should be able to enjoy their trips without having to worry about mishaps and the best way to do that is by staying vigilante.

What are some steps you take to travel safely?

Happy Journey!