In collaboration with Locks Direct
Your bags are packed as efficiently as possible and you’ve checked that you’ve got your passport at least 8 times. You’ve researched the ‘best places to eat’ near your hotel and you’ve checked the whereabouts of your passport for a ninth time.
But, have you put any thought into safety? The age-old adage of ‘safety first’ certainly rings true when it comes to travelling. If you’re to have a freewheelin’ trip full of spontaneity and adventure rather than one spent worrying, that is…
Put your mind at ease and your holiday in safe hands; together with Locks Direct, here are 11 ways to travel abroad safely and securely.
Pre-Book Transfers Or Use Official Taxis
It can be tempting to try and save money by hopping into a taxi when you get to the airport rather than pre-booking a transfer to your hotel. Doing so can often result in a more expensive ride, however, with some airport taxi companies having a fairly scurrilous reputation globally. Best to arrange a transfer through your hotel or the travel agent who’ve help facilitate the rest of your trip, we think.
Use High-Quality Locks On Your Suitcases
‘Please do not leave your luggage unattended’. It’s a clarion call we’ll all be familiar with, but in some instances, it’s one that’s impossible to actually obey.
The best way, then, to ensure your luggage remains tightly closed and untampered with is to secure it with a high-quality lock. This is not just for the airport but also a great way to keep valuables secure within your hotel room. If you’re staying in hostels where you’re sharing a room with others, then these can turn your suitcase into a safe when you’re away from the room.
Use Easy-To-Identify Luggage
Who doesn’t love a funky suitcase? Think bright colours and garish patterns, and the louder the better, we think. This isn’t just an act of peacocking; using easy-to-identify luggage is also much easier to keep an eye on your bubblegum pink zebra print suitcase, both on and off the conveyor belt, if it’s rendered in loud, proud tones.
Keep Everything Backed Up On Your Phone
How many times do you check you’ve got your tickets before leaving the house? How often do you go through customs reminding your family to keep hold of their boarding passes? Have you checked on the whereabouts of your passport for a tenth time? Whilst paper copies are a brilliant way to avoid worrying that your phone will run out of battery or randomly combust, having a backup of all important documents on your phone or iPad/tablet is a great way to ease anxiety around missing papers.
Read: 7 important legal documents you should keep digitally
Learn A Little Of The Local Lingo
Making friends with fellow intrepid travellers is great, and part of the reason you’re out here, seeing the world. Indeed, some friendships for life could be made. But any explorer truly intent on seeing the world doesn’t just cosy up with other travellers for the duration of their trip. In doing so, you risk missing out on seeing the ‘real’ culture of the country you’ve chosen.
By learning (at the very least) a few phrases – some polite, some playful – of the local lingo, you’ll be able to integrate with the people of the city; people who may well offer to show you around, invite you to parties or better still, a meal with their family…and these are the moments where truly great memories are made.
Make Sure You Have Insurance
To some, travel insurance can seem like just another expense. You convince yourself that your holiday would never be cancelled. That no one on your trip will fall down the hotel stairs and break a leg. That you won’t lose all of your belongings and need rescuing…
But these things do happen and without insurance in place, you can end up losing or even having to pay out a lot of money. Travel insurance can be relatively inexpensive if you have no underlying health conditions; just be sure to read the small print and pick a reputable insurance company before agreeing to anything.
Pay With Your Credit Card
A great way to make sure your holiday money is secure and also help to build that all-important credit score is to book your holiday with a credit card and then pay it back as soon as you can. Generally speaking, it’s much easier to claim back on money lost to fraud, cancellations and necessary last-minute changes if you used a credit card.
Credit cards also offer protection on purchases made abroad as well as a safety buffer in case emergency funds are needed during your trip. Having money in multiple accounts when abroad is generally a prudent move.
ABTA & ATOL protected
Book your holiday through ABTA or ATOL protected travel companies. They set high standards of service amongst travel agents and offer protection to those travelling through their member companies.
Keep in Touch With Friends
Always let your friends and family know where you are. Consider downloading the free what3words app to find, share and save exact locations using just three words.
Consider Cyber As Well As Physical Security
Being on the move means you’ll likely be using public wifi more often. Or that of a cafe with perhaps a laxer approach to security than you’re used to. But just because you’re on it more, or the necessity grips you, doesn’t mean all norms of secure browsing should go out of the window.
Indeed, you should be extremely cautious about using public wifi with reckless abandon. Check your emails, sure, your Facebook too, but leave anything transactional or balance-checking based to a safer, password-protected, non-shared connection.
Read: 5 IDEAL cyber security tips for travellers
Keep Your Home Safe Whilst You’re Away
Whilst holidays can be amazing, little retreats that take your mind off the daily stresses of home life. Home is still where the heart is, it’s where you feel safe and secure, the thought of someone gaining access and causing damage or stealing your valuables whilst you’re away can be incredibly unsettling.
Locks Direct have a range of home security solutions to help protect your home, from trusted padlock brands that are guaranteed to give you peace of mind.
Locks Direct are a family-run business that cares about your security and understands you want to keep yourself and your friends and family members safe. This is why they compiled these useful tips to help you stay safe next time you go on holiday. If you want more information on what Locks Direct offer or to find out more about security solutions then visit their site using the links in this article.