There’s nothing quite like a summer vacation to get a much-needed refresh, exploring the world outside of your backyard after you put on the protective table covers and lawn chair covers, and making memories that will last a lifetime. No matter where your destination lies, staying safe and thinking smart should be top priorities- along with having fun!
Rest Insured
The simplest way to keep some piece of mind while enjoying your vacation is to purchase a travel insurance plan ahead of your departure. Having travel insurance on your side removes anxieties surrounding accidents, mishaps, and unforeseen events that may occur on your trip.
Get in touch with a local travel insurance agent to determine which type of plan best fits your vacation. There are options for everything from weekend getaways to month-long journeys and everything in between.
Keep it Light
As you spend your vacation days exploring new and exciting spots, you should keep one important bit of advice in mind: travel light. Not only will this adage ensure that your daily adventures are comfortable, but it will also keep your belongings safe and sound.
When packing for the day ahead, make it a point to only bring along the essentials. This means leaving gadgets, jewelry, and storage bags locked away in your hotel room safe. Attention-grabbing items like these will make you a potential target for pickpockets, and travelling light is a far more comfortable way to explore somewhere new.
Home Secure Home
Making sure your home is safe while you’re away is crucial for a stress-free vacation. Hiring a housesitter or having a friend or family member watch over your home will cover the safety bases, but there are a number of steps you can take to keep things secure even if no one is staying over.
Protecting your outdoor furniture with table covers, outdoor pillows and cushion covers and lawn chair covers, setting up a home security system, and hiding valuables from sight are simple ways to safeguard your home before heading out on your epic summer vacation.
Research Ready
While it’s always fun to embrace spontaneity on a vacation, doing research of specific areas ahead of time ensures that you and your family are keeping safe without having to sacrifice fun.
Websites like Trip Advisor and Google Reviews can help you determine which areas are safe for you and your family to explore on your daily excursions. Asking the locals or the hotel concierge is another way to get a good feel of the area as well as what to expect during your day trips.
Lock it up
No matter if it’s a beachside villa or a downtown highrise, hotel rooms are almost guaranteed to have a safe in the room for your convenience. Not taking advantage of this free amenity is a safety mistake that is all too common.
Backup cash, laptops, and other valuables should be locked away any time you leave your room. On a similar note, consider purchasing a luggage lock for when you are in transit and are unable to keep an eye on your bags.
Always Alert
Sometimes staying safe on vacation is as simple as paying attention to what’s going on around you. Staying alert to your surroundings is an invaluable habit that keeps you and your family safe with little effort.
Be on high alert when walking near traffic or in unfamiliar areas. Keep a watchful eye on your kids and teach them to stay aware of their surroundings as well.
Status Update
Keeping in touch with family and friends back home not only lets you share the excitement of your travels, it gives you the chance to check in and assure them of your safety.
Try to set a designated time in the evening to give a friend or family member a call to let them know you and your family are in good hands.
Healthy and Happy
Keeping yourself and your family healthy on vacation goes hand in hand with staying safe. Before heading out on your travel adventure, be sure to have all necessary medications packed, from prescriptions to over the counter medicines.
Carrying a mini first aid kit can prove handy in the case of small cuts or scrapes. For anything more serious, contact your doctor back home or head to the nearest urgent care.
Documented
From passports to social security cards, there are a number of documents you should have with you throughout your vacation. However, it’s not recommended that you carry such documents on your daily excursions- after all, no one wants to lose their passport on the subway.
Instead, make copies of your passport, social security card, and other relevant travel documents, as well as those of your family members. If a situation arises where proof of identity is required, these copies should suffice in lieu of the original documents.
Cash is King
While the convenience of credit and debit cards may be unparalleled, cash is the smarter and safer choice when travelling. Using cash eliminates the risk of your card info being stolen and doesn’t require a call to the bank to let them know you’ll be out of state (or country).
If you do bring credit and/or debit cards, have copies of all your card numbers including expiration dates and 3-digit security codes tucked away in your safe. Write down the name and customer service phone number with each card number as well.
Carry your cash in a slashproof travel wallet designed to keep it extra safe while keeping backup money in your hotel safe. It’s still wise to carry a card or two for emergencies, but try and limit your usage as much as possible.
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