Image Credit: SylviaBrowder.com
When we think of world travel, we imagine beautiful architecture, exotic food and taking pictures in front of stunning landscapes. But there’s another, darker side to traveling alone, especially for women, in this modern age.
While traveling alone as a woman can be an empowering and inspirational experience, we’ve got to be aware and vigilant of the possible risks and dangers. Here are some ways that you can stay safe and equipped while traveling by yourself.
[tweetthis]While traveling as a #woman can be an #empowering experience, vigilance of risks is paramount![/tweetthis]Stay in a well-lit area
When traveling alone, play it safe by opting to stay at a hostel or hotel in a safe neighborhood with good lighting and a 24-hour front desk. This safety measure will make you feel safer, especially at night. Take extra precautions by bringing your own lock for your luggage, as well as a rubber doorstop to place inside your door at night. Both items won’t take up a lot of space in your luggage, but can bring peace of mind and actual safety.
Use your smartphone for safety
When you’re traveling, unplugging from your electronic devices can perhaps give you a heightened, more organic experience. However, there are ways you can use your smartphone to your advantage while traveling. There are plenty of apps that can give you valuable information should you or someone around you become injured. For instance:
TripIt App – compile all of your bookings into one seamless place. Users forward any and all trip related email to your Tripit account and then the app takes care of the rest.
Army First Aid App – will quickly refresh your knowledge of CPR, help you care for a broken bone and give you information on a number of medical circumstances.
SAS Survival Guide App – will give you step-by-step instructions on how to build a fire, find water, navigate by the stars, signal for rescue, or fight off an animal.
iArrow App – built-in database of 2,000,000 localities around the world. Also, save your own coordinates so you can easily navigate back to your starting point.
Weather+Free App – informs you of the climate in multiple locations. It features the local time, temperature, humidity, visibility, wind speed, and other key factors that will inform your decision about what to wear before stepping outside.
[tweetthis]#TravelApps make our lives easier, give valuable information & streamline the entire trip.[/tweetthis]Guard your drinks
Having a glass of wine with your meal shouldn’t be an issue, especially if you have the drink in front of you at all times, but drinking in excess gives predators more opportunity to drug your drink. Be wary of receiving free drinks from strangers, no matter harmless they may seem.
Dress conservatively
If you’re traveling to a region with warm temperatures, be mindful of how you dress. Although wearing a tank top and shorts may be the norm where you’re from, it could draw unwanted attention while abroad. Stay cool in a conservative manner by wearing longer shorts or cropped pants and sleeveless tops that have a conservative neckline.
For added safety, consider wearing a clearly visible safety whistle to discourage people from approaching you in an inappropriate manner.
Read the space around you
Wherever you go, get a general feel for the space around you by taking a quick scan of the area. Be vigilant for any suspicious characters and make sure that your personal belongings are safe and secure. If you take a few seconds to do this, you’ll be more aware of what’s around you and mentally prepared for whatever may befall you.
In conclusion, with a little common sense and good decisions, your trip can be safe, fun with b great stories to share with your family and friends.
Do you have a tip to share with others that wasn’t mentioned in this article?
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