Top 10 tips for a safe holiday

Going to unknown destinations can bring to you the kind of problems you do not want to experience while on the road. Prepare properly before embarking on a trip. We made a top 10 list for a safe holiday.

1. Water:

Avoid tap water when traveling abroad. Most tap water is non-potable. If you get water at a restaurant make sure it is bottled water. Many tourists get sick due to the water they have drank abroad.

2. Effect of the heat during your stay

• Cover the windshield of your car when you stopped in the Sun
• Park in the shade as much as possible
• Avoid driving during the hottest hours of the day
• Cover the dashboard with a towel, even while driving. That towel prevents the dashboard saving the heat and being a radiant heater.
• Make sure that you prepare and take a cooler along with you. A well-packed cooler will help keep you cool and well-hydrated as you enjoy your trip.

3. Money:

Do not wear expensive jewelry or an expensive looking watch and avoid flashing your cash, high tech devices, gold, silver and such. If you can, put most of your money on your card, many places will take your card.

4. Luggage:

Never walk away from your luggage leaving it unattended. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle. Not only could a thief steal it, someone could place something inside of your luggage.

5. Avoid looking like a tourist:

When you look like you're not familiar with an area, you can be the target for theft as well as more serious crimes. Learn about the main roads as well as the areas to avoid. Plan out your day in the morning and learn where you need to go.

6. Get travel insurance:

Any number of things can turn your perfect vacation into a disaster such as illness, accident, natural disasters, lost luggage, delayed flights or canceled flights. The best way to protect you against these and other major problems is to have good travel insurance.

7. Keep your valuables close:

Carry your passport, plane ticket, traveler's checks and cash in a concealed money belt worn around the waist under you shirt or blouse.

8. Luggage Tags:

Never list your home address on the luggage tag, if you do use covered tags.

9. Be aware of Street scams:

If a number of children gather around you in the street and cause a commotion, you are likely being targeted by pickpockets who are using the children to distract you. You must be especially vigilant in airports, bus and train stations and watch your luggage, camera, and laptop like a hawk as they can disappear in an instant. Usually muggings occur at night and not in a busy, bustling part of the city. If you are accosted by an armed robber, do not argue or resist.

10. Vaccination

Check with the local tourism board and health agencies in the area that you are travelling in to see if they recommend any vaccinations or other medications before your arrival. Some of the necessary vaccinations take a while to take effect in your body, so you will need to have them much longer before your departure date.