Summer is upon us, which marks peak travel season. Before you hit the road, adopt a 'safety-first' mindset when planning a trip.
A travel security plan has a few key components: your personal safety, preparing for emergencies, and the security of your data and belongings.
Here are a few tips for novice and seasoned travelers alike:
Scan / photograph your passport and driver’s license. It’s best to carry a hard copy and keep digital copies in a password-protected account online.
Have your emergency and insurance contact information with you. It is best to do a little research on local emergency facilities and have contact information handy.
Give a copy of your itinerary to a friend or family member who isn’t traveling with you, along with a printout of your passport, driver's license, and emergency information.
When out and about, practice good situational awareness. It’s easy to be distracted in new places so keep tabs of your belongings and your surroundings at all times.
Avoid posting your travels in real time. This has a two-fold benefit: 1) You don’t reveal your whereabouts to a local with malicious intent; and 2) You don’t reveal your home is vacant while you are away.
Protect data by downloading a VPN especially if you plan on using public WiFi anywhere on your trip.
Consider an extra locking mechanism on your door. A common type is placed behind and under a door to act as a wedge and extra resistance when opening the door; they typically have an alarm to alert you if you are in the room.
Check government websites that offer travel advisories and information about disruptions. For example, in the US, check State Department and in the UK check Gov.uk.
Safe travels everyone!