Preface

Hey friends. I'm Lao Bai, a seasoned travel blogger who has been exploring the world for over a decade. Today I want to talk about the most important topic in traveling - safety. Honestly, every time I see news reports about tourists encountering various accidents abroad, my heart aches. Most risks can actually be avoided with proper preparation.

All About Documents

Remember my embarrassing experience during my first overseas trip? My passport and wallet were stolen at the Japanese airport. I was terrified at the time, not only panicking but also wasting a lot of time. After this lesson, I developed a foolproof method for keeping documents safe.

First, all important documents must have double backups. Now before leaving, I always take photos of my passport, ID card, and credit cards, storing them separately on my phone and in the cloud. At least there's some reference if an emergency occurs.

Did you know? Many thieves especially like to "work" at airports and train stations. They often pretend to be staff members and ask to check your documents. In such situations, you must stay alert. If they can't produce a work ID, politely say: "I'm sorry, but I need to verify your identity first."

Protecting Your Wallet

Speaking of wallet safety, I have a particularly useful trick. I divide my cash into three parts: one in my carry-on bag, one in the hotel safe, and a small amount in my shoes (this really works). This way, even if something happens, you won't lose everything.

A few years ago in Barcelona, I witnessed a Chinese tourist being targeted by pickpockets on Las Ramblas. That tourist had their wallet in their back pocket, practically inviting thieves. So I suggest keeping your backpack in front of your chest in tourist spots and public places, and keeping important items close to your body.

Accommodation Rules

Regarding accommodation safety, I have deep experience. Once in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the fire alarm went off in the middle of the night. My first reaction was to look for the emergency exit, thanks to my good habit of checking the location of emergency exits immediately after checking into a hotel.

Did you know? Many tourists make the mistake of leaving valuables carelessly in their rooms. Hotels actually provide safe services, which you should definitely utilize. Oh, and remember to check if the windows are properly closed before leaving the room - this is easily overlooked.

Food and Drink Safety

One of my iron rules is: better spend more money than worry about food safety. When traveling abroad, I especially recommend dining at highly-rated restaurants. When I was traveling in India, I saw many tempting street food stalls, but for the sake of my stomach, I chose to eat at the hotel.

Here's a useful tip: always carry some basic medicines when traveling. My travel medicine kit must include: anti-diarrheal medicine, cold medicine, band-aids, and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, note that you should check the regulations of your destination regarding bringing medicines across borders, as some medications are prohibited.

Transportation

Regarding traffic safety, let me share a lesson I learned while driving abroad. Once in the US, I left my camera on the back seat, and it was stolen when someone broke into the car while parked. Since then, I've remembered: valuable items must be carried with you or stored in the trunk.

When taking taxis, you must be especially careful and choose official taxi companies. In Morocco, I've seen tourists being overcharged by illegal taxi drivers. So I suggest researching reliable ride-hailing apps in your destination before departure - it's much safer.

Conclusion

After reading these suggestions, do you feel like traveling is dangerous? Don't worry too much - I'm sharing these not to scare you, but to help you prepare. With adequate preparation, traveling is absolutely a physically and mentally enjoyable experience.

Finally, here's a saying for everyone: Safety is travel's most important companion. Do you have any special travel safety tips? Feel free to share them with me in the comments.

(This article will be updated with more practical travel safety advice, stay tuned.)