This last week in Chicago has been pretty eventful. I was about to hop out of a cab the other night when a woman frantically jumped in and yelled that she had just been mugged. She also said she was punched in the head and started to file a police report. Since my friend and I were already back to my apartment, I asked the cab driver to wait for us to get inside to be safe (And I live in a good neighborhood).
Later this week, I went with the same friend, Kim, to the airport, because she was flying back. Airports are usually stressful, so people are pretty anxious holding their important documents and hoping to make their flight. Maybe the anxiety went straight to this one man’s heart because he just hit the floor, unconscious and not breathing. I had to call the ambulance while others started performing CPR, and everyone else just stared.
Needless to say, I have had safety on my mind lately, so I thought to I’d write about safety traveling tips here we go:
8 Tips for Traveling Safely
1. Be aware of your surroundings.
2. Avoid unlicensed drivers. It’s illegal for cab drivers to seek you out in airports before the cab line actually begins. Often, unlicensed drivers will approach you just trying to make a buck. The problem: You’ll find that unregistered drivers are often uninsured. And usually reckless. And take cash only.
3. Have a form of identification on you at all times, especially when traveling alone. If something happens to you, it’s better that your family and/friends, doctors,...etc are notified in the case of an emergency.
4. Keep your money and bank cards in different places. If you lose anything, you’ll have backup.
5. Don’t leave bags unattended, not just at the airport. If you are leaving things in a hotel or hostel, lock up!
6. Vaccinate. Take precautions. Learn about the destinations you’ll be visiting and what immunizations you’ll need.
7. Scan important documents and email them to yourself.
8. Don’t appear lost. Pulling maps out (or GoogleMaps) and appearing obviously lost in public places will make you seem vulnerable easy to take advantage of. Try and be discreet when searching for a location or be prepared before you head towards your route.
I hope these safety traveling tips give you some things to think about. Enjoy the world!
Thanks for reading!
“I would like to see the world. I would like to see it all at once tomorrow.”
Later this week, I went with the same friend, Kim, to the airport, because she was flying back. Airports are usually stressful, so people are pretty anxious holding their important documents and hoping to make their flight. Maybe the anxiety went straight to this one man’s heart because he just hit the floor, unconscious and not breathing. I had to call the ambulance while others started performing CPR, and everyone else just stared.
Needless to say, I have had safety on my mind lately, so I thought to I’d write about safety traveling tips here we go:
8 Tips for Traveling Safely
1. Be aware of your surroundings.
2. Avoid unlicensed drivers. It’s illegal for cab drivers to seek you out in airports before the cab line actually begins. Often, unlicensed drivers will approach you just trying to make a buck. The problem: You’ll find that unregistered drivers are often uninsured. And usually reckless. And take cash only.
3. Have a form of identification on you at all times, especially when traveling alone. If something happens to you, it’s better that your family and/friends, doctors,...etc are notified in the case of an emergency.
4. Keep your money and bank cards in different places. If you lose anything, you’ll have backup.
5. Don’t leave bags unattended, not just at the airport. If you are leaving things in a hotel or hostel, lock up!
6. Vaccinate. Take precautions. Learn about the destinations you’ll be visiting and what immunizations you’ll need.
7. Scan important documents and email them to yourself.
8. Don’t appear lost. Pulling maps out (or GoogleMaps) and appearing obviously lost in public places will make you seem vulnerable easy to take advantage of. Try and be discreet when searching for a location or be prepared before you head towards your route.
I hope these safety traveling tips give you some things to think about. Enjoy the world!
Thanks for reading!
“I would like to see the world. I would like to see it all at once tomorrow.”
Written by: Backpack Britt
Hello. I’m Brittany, and I like to travel. I enjoy sharing photos and telling stories about the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve had. After graduating college, I backpacked Europe alone. Some would say I’m a bold traveler, but I feel like I’m just getting started. I tend to attract colorful situations, so I hope you enjoy what you read!
Hello. I’m Brittany, and I like to travel. I enjoy sharing photos and telling stories about the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve had. After graduating college, I backpacked Europe alone. Some would say I’m a bold traveler, but I feel like I’m just getting started. I tend to attract colorful situations, so I hope you enjoy what you read!
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