Dangers can be met everywhere, but when you are a tourist in a foreign country, the risks increase as you are in a new environment and don’t know what to avoid. Not travelling at all is not the solution to staying away from danger, as you can feel the happiest when you go to other destinations. But instead, it would be good to keep some security measures in mind and not expose yourself to unnecessary risks. In most cases, tourists are very easy to spot as they always look at a map on their phone, take pictures or carry a heavy bag. And because they catch the eye, they can become easy targets for those who don’t have good intentions. The best way to avoid dangers when travelling is to prepare for some scenarios. And although the circumstances and situations can differ, some problems are usually met by all travellers.
So, if you want to know the most common travelling risks, keep reading.
Road accidents
Infrastructure, traffic regulations or driving habits depend from country to country. This is why tourists are often involved in road accidents when they are in an unfamiliar destination. If you are a traveller, you need to pay extra attention and keep in mind many aspects that will ensure you will stay protected. You need to search whether renting a car will be a good idea, as some countries don’t have safe roads and are known for non-existent traffic rules, like India, the Philippines, and Mexico to name a few. It will be good to read the regulations in advance and see the differences regarding driving between your country and the new location. If you know the important rules, you will see that you will be more cautious and know what to expect, and in this way, you will also reduce the risks of being involved in a traffic accident. However, sometimes, even if you take all the necessary measures and are very careful, you might be in an accident due to another person’s negligence. If this happens to you, and you aren’t at fault, you need to know that you can claim some compensation for the harm done. You can learn more at https://www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk/.
Food poisoning
Food poisoning is a very common problem, and if you are a travel enthusiast, you have probably been in this scenario at least once. Its most general symptoms are stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, a low mood and a lack of energy. It is not the best situation to be in, as it can strike at any moment, and the last thing you need on a vacation is to feel sick. Food poisoning is caused by several pathogens, like salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli, and norovirus, and the list can continue. How can these bacteria appear in your body? Well, the most likely culprits are any raw or undercooked kind of meat, vegetables and fruits, food stored at an unsafe temperature and prepared without the right sanitary measures.
Getting robbed
Sometimes, even if you don’t carry valuable objects, you can be robbed for no other reason than being a tourist. And we have to agree that sometimes we make an easy target for thieves, as we carry a large sum of cash, phones and other valuable items. The best way to avoid being robbed is to try as much as possible to blend in the crown and not look like a tourist. Also, remember not to wear your most expensive clothing articles when you are on vacation, as if you look rich, you have a bigger chance of getting robbed. When you are in a new destination and are charmed by the beautiful buildings and architecture, you don’t pay much attention to the other details, such as if someone follows you. And if you wander around and keep gawking at the sight or photographing everything you see, you can easily be the victim of a theft. Also, don’t trust all the people you meet, as some are not as nice as they seem and will want to steal your things when they earn your trust and you are not careful. Keep in mind to always leave your personal documents at the accommodation, as you don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t leave the country because you don’t have the needed documents to do so.
Petty crimes
As a tourist, you can also find yourself in a petty crime, as if you don’t give what robbers demand, they will try to harm you so that they can steal what they want. Try not to look like you carry important objects and large amounts of money, as you don’t want something terrible to happen to you that can even put your life in danger. Also, as a woman, and especially if you travel solo, you should always be careful and not expose yourself to unnecessary risks. The danger of sexual assault and rape also increases when you are in a foreign country, so always be careful. Don’t go alone on the streets at night, and never leave your beverages unattended.
Final words
The dangers we expose to when travelling are bigger than the ones at home, so you must always be more attentive when you are in a destination unknown to you. Make sure you take many measures to protect yourself, as this will greatly reduce the likelihood that something terrible will happen. Don’t rely on the fact that you are lucky and nothing bad has ever happened to you, as this mentality will not help you, and you will not pay as much attention as you should and might expose yourself to dangers. Consider a travel insurance policy, as you don’t know when you will find it useful and always keep your most essential things at the accommodation.
