Travel Safety Tips to Add to your Routine Before, During and After Your Vacation
Planning a trip—now or in the future? This episode is a must-listen. Our guest, Jason Brick, host of YouTube channel “Safest Family on the Block”, shares essential tips to help you stay safe and prepared from the moment you start planning to the day you return home. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting out, you'll walk away with practical advice to protect yourself every step of the way.
Let’s dive into how you can be the safest you can be during each step of your travel process!
Before the Trip
If your family (or group you’re traveling with) is in need of any special accommodations, make sure you plan your trip around them.
Ex: if you need wheelchair accessibility, if you need a fridge for insulin, etc.
Making sure to plan ahead will allow for the trip to be much more enjoyable and safe for everyone in the moment.
Virtually scout out your destination.
The U.S. State Department has very good country guides that you can use for research.
Check out Google Maps and scout out what the area looks like where you’ll be staying and visiting.
Become aware of the expats in the area you will be traveling to.
These people aren’t immigrants, but have chosen to live in this new area. They usually speak English and are a great resource for getting questions answered. You can usually find an Expat Facebook group for each region.
Departure Day
The most important thing you can do is leave early! Give yourself plenty of time. Mistakes are usually made when you’re in a rush. This also gives you more time to work out any issues that may arise at the airport or on the drive.
Take a family photo right before you leave. This photo will be a very important tool in case you ever lose track of everyone.
Repeat this step every morning so you have updated photos of their outfits, hair style, etc.
Arriving at your destination
Be aware that many countries don’t have the safest cabs to ride in. Make sure that the driver has NOT been drinking. Look the driver in the eye and try to talk to them before getting in the car to show them you are aware.
Pull up the app Waze and map yourself to your destination so you can follow the route. If you head in the wrong direction, call out the driver.
Once you’re settled in the hotel, take a walk around the area and get a feel for what the area is like. You can figure out where the best walking areas are and where you feel safeset.
On the Trip
Be careful about what you share on social media. Post where you WERE, not where you ARE!
From a financial standpoint, you are showing burglars when a home of a family (who can afford to travel) will be empty).
You are also showing “bad guys” in the place you’re traveling to, that a family (with enough money to visit their country) where you are going to be.
At the beginning of each day, sit down as a group and go over the itinerary for the day. This is especially good to do when traveling with kids. Make sure everyone is on the same page and understands where they need to be.
Set limits for your family and stick to them. If you’re hiking and run out of water, turn around. If you start to feel sick, go back to the hotel.
Be aware of your surroundings!!! If you go into a place and something feels even slightly off, get out of there.
If you need to count your cash in public, try to find a bathroom so you can pull it out privately.
Returning home
Like the departure day, leave early! Give yourself time to work through any issues that may arise.
Be aware that some airport wifi’s are not secure. Just be careful and aware of the networks that you choose to join.
When you get home
Give yourself a day to relax.
Be aware about the photos you are posting. Make sure that your passport isn’t open in any photos. Just make sure no sensitive information will be shared in the photos.
Have a debrief with your family or travel partner. Figure out what went well and what needs to be improved for next time.
Jason recently released a new book with a wealth of safety information! It’s called “Safest Family on the Block” and you can find it on Amazon!
Check out Jason’s website for more info!