Issue 160

How to Stay Safe Whilst Travelling

19th November 2007

With students becoming increasingly more daring and adventurous, flying out to far flung places where it is not always possible to put to use the usual safety tips that you read, Amy Forrester advises how to stay safe whilst also enjoying your holiday.

Make sure your passport is valid, get yourself travel insurance and get the necessary Visas in advance. Visas can take up to a month to arrive, and under new legislation you may need to be interviewed to get a passport so get onto it as soon as your holiday is booked.

Photocopy passports, visas, insurance policies and tickets and leave copies with friends/family along with itineraries and contact numbers. Put copies in the lining of your suitcases once you arrive in your destination (almost all have an inner glove which zips open) in case you lose them or they get stolen. Do not put them in your suitcase before you set out - if your luggage gets lost you may find yourself a victim of identity fraud.

Only drink sparkling water and don't have ice in your drinks. Many restaurants fill up old water bottles with water from the tap to save on buying new ones and, if it's a country with contaminated or dirty water, this can cause havoc with your stomach.

Check local religions and what they wear. This may not sound particularly important, but if you find yourself in Dubai and you're a girl with a suitcase full of tiny clothes and fancy checking out the local markets, don't be surprised when you get stared at. A lot. Always bear in mind the phrase "When in Rome" but don't overdo your attempts to fit in or you may actually be offensive.

Separate your money and take only what you need out with you. It's really frustrating when you find that all your money's gone after one night out due to pickpockets, emptying pockets or drunken antics. Also, have back up travellers' cheques, sterling or US dollars (very good for bribes). check out Western Union for international money transfers if you're going away for a few months.

Vaccinations are vital. Needles aren't great and malaria tablets can be trippy, but these could be the most important things on the list. It takes our bodies a while to acclimatise, and if you don't have protection against anything which could get into your body then you're in big trouble. It's quite simple; book your vaccinations at least 6 weeks in advance of your going away date - you need even more time for some jabs, such as rabies, so check with your nurse.

Finally, don't panic by thinking about all the possible things that could go wrong. If you use your common sense, remember these tips, your toothbrush and clean underwear, then your travels ought to go smoothly and you'll have the time of your life.

Waterfront Online