Going on a well-earned vacation can be an incredible experience. Whether you’re traveling to a familiar getaway spot or venturing across the world to someplace you’ve never been before, there are countless sights to see and experiences to enjoy. In order to have the best trip possible, it’s important to always plan ahead and prepare for any potential hurdles that might arise over the course of your travels. In this article, we discuss some common travel hazards and how they might be mitigated.

Accidents & Medical Emergencies

Even the most well-prepared traveler can fall victim to an unexpected accident, illness, or injury. From car crashes to food poisoning, nothing can ruin your meticulous vacation plans quicker than a genuine emergency. Before traveling, you should research the locations of the best hospitals and law enforcement agencies around your travel destination. If an accident occurs, you want to be sure that you will receive prompt assistance and quality care. It may be wise to write down the names and addresses of your preferred hospital, local police station, and U.S. embassy. That way, even if you are unable to speak or communicate verbally, you can still receive aid.

In some cases, it can be challenging to acquire prescription medications while traveling. You should ask your doctor to issue several rounds of meds before you leave for your trip. Keep in mind that medications may be labeled under a different name in other countries. Keep in mind that your health insurance may not cover hospital or doctor’s fees for care received outside of your native country. While you may have legal recourse for injuries sustained as a result of another person or party’s negligence, you may also benefit from having a temporary travel medical insurance plan.

Natural Disasters

While planning your trip, be sure to carefully research what kinds of seasonal weather you can expect to encounter through the course of your travels. If you’re visiting an area prone to flooding, hurricanes, storms, or even earthquakes, it’s important to prepare for any hazards you might reasonably expect to encounter. Some areas may not have the proper infrastructure to deal with routine seasonal storms or hurricanes, despite the prevalent risk of such events. For example, some countries may not have in-depth building codes that require hotels to be built to earthquake-resistant standards.

You should always select a hotel room on a floor that is reachable by the local fire department’s rescue ladders. In the event of a fire, earthquake, or storm, you do not want to be trapped in your hotel room without any way to get out safely if you cannot leave by conventional means.

Losing Your Passport

Losing your passport is one of the most stressful things that can happen if you’re traveling outside of your native country. To avoid issues, you should keep an electronic copy of your passport on your phone, tablet, or computer, along with physical copies. If you’re traveling in a group, you may want to exchange digital copies with other group members in case you misplace your phone. You can also leave a photocopy with a family member or friend, who can transfer the image to an embassy in the event your original passport is stolen, lost, or damaged.

Civil Unrest

Certain regions are particularly prone to civil unrest, particularly when a controversial election is taking place in the country. You should carefully consider whether it is worth the risks of traveling through a region experiencing political instability, military weaponization, or other significant signs of civil unrest. When traveling outside of the U.S., it is wise to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Benefits of the STEP program include:

  • Important updates regarding the security of your intended travel destination
  • Your friends and loved ones will be able to contact you in an emergency
  • The U.S. Embassy will have an easier time contacting you if an emergency occurs

If civil unrest occurs during your trip or martial law is declared, you should contact the closest U.S. consulate or embassy immediately for assistance. Be sure that you have enough food, water, and basic essentials to shelter-in-place for a few weeks, if needed.

Petty Crime

Tourists are a preferred target of pickpockets and petty thieves. Travelers frequently carry valuables and large amounts of money and may not be familiar with the area, making them the perfect target for an experienced thief. When on vacation, try to remain inconspicuous. Leave valuable watches, jewelry, and purses at home. If you shop at an expensive mall, pay close attention to your surroundings at all times.

You may consider keeping your credit cards and cash in a concealed money belt to protect your valuables from theft. You should only carry as much cash as you expect to use on a given day, to reduce your losses if you are the victim of petty theft. If you need to carry a significant amount of cash, spreading it out across your person or across multiple people in your group may be wise.

Protecting Yourself From Common Travel Hazards

Going on a vacation can be an amazing experience, especially if you take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of injury and inconvenience to yourself and your fellow travelers. We hope that this article helps you and your loved ones stay safe during your upcoming travels!