There are general safety risks that you need to be aware of when travelling alone:
Research your destination before you go. This includes understanding the local culture and customs, as well as being aware of any areas that might be unsafe.
Make copies of important documents like your passport and driver's license and leave them with a trusted friend or family member.
Pack light, and keep your valuables close to you at all times.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and don't be afraid to speak up if something doesn't feel right.
If you're staying in a hotel, make sure the door is double locked when you are inside, and you use the viewing panel before allowing anyone access to the room.
When possible, try to travel with a group of people, especially if you're visiting an unfamiliar place.
And finally, don't overshare on social media. It's great to document your trip, but be aware that posting your location or plans could put you at risk.
By following these simple tips, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Sexual harassment
As a woman travelling alone, there are certain safety and security risks that you need to be aware of. sexual harassment is one of the biggest risks faced by women when travelling, and it can happen anywhere, at any time. There are some things you can do to mitigate the risk of sexual harassment:
- Be Aware of your surroundings at all times. This means being aware of who is around you and what they are doing.
- If you feel like you are being followed or watched, go to a safe place as soon as possible.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Don't be afraid to speak up or ask for help if you.
Kidnapping
As a female traveller, there are certain steps you can take to avoid being kidnapped.
- Firstly, make sure you are aware of your surroundings at all times. If you feel like you are being followed, go into a busy area or tell a security guard.
- Secondly, if you are going to be in an area that is known to be dangerous, try not to travel alone if possible. If you must travel alone, let people know your itinerary and check in regularly.
- Thirdly, be cautious of accepting rides from strangers. In most cases try to avoid unless absolutely necessary. If possible, activate and share your live location with a friend.
If you are worried about being kidnapped while travelling, there are some
things you can do to reduce the risk of:
- Do your research
Before travelling to a new place, do some research on the area. Find out if there have been any reports of crime and what areas to avoid. The internet is a great resource for this, or you can ask people who have been there before. - Let someone know your plans
Before you go anywhere, make sure to let someone know your plans. This way, if anything happens, they will know where to start looking for you. It’s also a good idea to check in with them regularly so they know you’re safe. - Stay in public places
When you’re out and about, try to stay in public places as much as possible. If you need to go somewhere private, make sure there are other people around who can help if needed. - Be aware of your surroundings
It’s important to always be aware of your surroundings. Travel awareness is critical. This means not walking around with headphones on or looking at your phone all the time. If you’re not paying attention, you could miss something important or put yourself in a dangerous situation. - Trust your gut
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts and get out of there if you can. - Be cautious with strangers
If someone you don’t know approaches you, be cautious. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to strangers. - Keep your personal information private
You should never give out your personal information to someone you don’t know. This includes your home address, phone number, email address, etc. - Let someone know where you’ll be
Before you go off on your own, make sure to let someone know where you’ll be and when you’ll be back. This way, if something does happen, someone will know where to start looking for you. - Check in regularly
If you’re going to be out of touch for a while, make sure to check in with your contacts regularly. This way, if something does happen, people will know when to start getting worried. - Social media activity
When travelling make sure you are not offering too much information to social media platforms as this can be used against you. For example, if you are constantly checking into different locations or posting photos of yourself, it can make you an easy target. Try and limit your social media activity or even better don’t use it at all while you are away.
After reading this, we hope you feel a little more prepared in case you find yourself in this situation. You can also download our travel awareness brochure to help you. Stay safe out there!