Personal safety has become an important issue for women, especially during recent years due to the increase in lone attacks. It’s particularly crucial if you’re planning your next girls’ holiday in a foreign country with little to no knowledge about the local laws and legislations, and it can be quite a nerve wracking experience trying to navigate a new setting in the event of an emergency. So, to prevent any worst case scenarios, here are some handy tips to follow in order to ensure you’re able to enjoy yourself on holiday whilst making your personal safety your upmost priority.
Duplicate Your Documents
You should never risk being under prepared, so if the worst should happen, make copies of your important documents, such as your passport, identity card as well as insurance papers. You should also consider keeping electronic documents by taking pictures of your documents and storing them on your phone, laptop and secure cloud server. Another important point is to know the local emergency numbers, so keep a list on your phone, or use an app like TripWhistle which provides emergency numbers from all over the world.
Conceal Your Valuables
This is probably a no-brainer, but nonetheless very important. You may feel safe when travelling with your friends, but flaunting your valuables can create an opportunity for crime. Avoid making yourself an easy target by keeping your phone hidden as possible, concealing your cash carefully and avoid wearing expensive accessories. On body storage is probably the best option, such as a travel money belt, and another option to consider is keeping a dummy wallet (containing useless cards and a few smaller bills) which can easily be given up in case of a mugging.
Avoid travelling alone
The easiest thing you can probably do on your girls’ holiday is to stick together, because it’ll help you feel secure and you’re less likely to run into any problems. If you’re planning a night out, it can be easy to drift away from one another during the shenanigans, so agree on a safe place to meet up afterwards. You should also consider paying a little extra for your safety, such as airport transfers and pre-booked accommodation. For the most fulfilling and relaxing girls’ trip, book your accommodation in a safe area. For finding a holiday home, use cozycozy the accommodation comparison site. Investing in a GPS tracker and turning on your phone location settings is particularly useful for that extra peace of mind!
Beware Sharing Apps
It’s common to use rideshare apps such as Uber or Lyft when on holiday, as not only do they make getting around easier and comfortable, but they also provide extra safety features, like tracking your driver, allowing you to share your journey with a friend or family member and making contactless payments. However, to be extra cautious, always be sure to confirm the vehicle’s license plate, make and model as well as match the driver’s photo and description to that on the app, as many individuals pretend to be rideshare drivers! Also, be sure to let your friends know where you’ll be travelling to and from and never share too much information about your travel plans with drivers or fellow travellers.
Trust Your Instincts
Finally, your intuition is a very powerful thing, so if you feel something’s off or there’s something not quite right about someone you’ve just met, there’s no shame in walking away or saying no. Going on holiday abroad is an amazing experience in which you’ll meet individuals from vast backgrounds and cultures. However, in some situations, you may find it better to lie or not to disclose too much information just to keep yourself safe. Also, be sure to watch your drinks, or even better, limit your drinking as getting drunk in an unknown place can put anyone in a dangerous situation.
Going on a holiday with your girl pals is an exciting opportunity to enjoy yourself and explore a new place together. However, as in all situations, your personal safety should be a priority!
