Safety Tips for Spring Break Travel
In the excitement of spring break we can sometimes forget to be mindful of some simple safety tips while on vacation. Here are a few to keep you and the ones that you love safe while traveling, both at home and abroad.
When traveling in the car there are several tips to remember to ensure the ride and those inside of the car are safe. If taking an extended road trip, take turns behind the wheel with friends. This way the driving shifts are separate and rotated; it eliminates the possibility of sleepy drivers. Whoever is in the front seat is responsible for keeping the driver awake and entertained through their leg of the journey.
Although it may seem redundant in the age of smartphones, it’s suggested that you take a map with you on all road trips. You never know when you are going to end up in an area where your cellphone signal isn’t that strong and you can no longer rely on it. Have the map as a backup plan. This way you can still be somewhat familiar with where you are, no matter the service available.
Another good idea is to never leave valuable such as purses, wallets, cellphones, keys, iPads, or anything else out in open view when you are leaving the car. If these things are in sight your vehicle might be more prone to be broken in to by anyone who walks by. Lock valuables safely in the trunk of the car before leaving for extended periods of time. While many people do this anyway, it can be easy to forget when stopping on the road after a long drive.
If you are in a foreign country, there are countless things to be aware of. It is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic road signs and rules of the road. Before leaving your hotel, take a card from the front desk that has the name, phone number, and address of the hotel in case you need help getting back later. Another important tip is to call a taxi if you can instead of hailing one. You always take a chance when getting into a taxi, but if you call it yourself you have a better idea of what to expect. Always brush up on the laws of the country you are visiting. Ignorance of the law doesn’t exempt you from its enforcement.
It is very important to remember to never accept rides from people at the airport. Other important hotel reminders include checking in using discretion in saying your room number out loud in crowded areas. You do not want just everyone knowing where you are staying. It is also a good idea to make yourself familiar with all emergency exits, and to make sure all windows and doors are secured and locked before leaving the room.
If you have to go to the ATM while you are out and about, then it is a good idea to scan the area before you use the actual machine. This is to double check and make sure that no one is watching. Also, try to go to the ATM in a large group and always use your hand to cover the key pad when trying in your PIN number. Lastly, wiggle the card receiver before you use an ATM. Doing so can help reveal illegal card readers that have been installed over the ATM. Use these and other tips to keep yourself and those you love safe this vacation season.
