We will never be able to predict the future or what will happen tomorrow. We can only guess. A famous saying states, "Expect the best, but prepare for the worst." While it does state that we should hold positive expectations for things yet be prepared for the worst possible outcome, it doesn't promote a pessimistic stance in life but rather a realistic approach. People who are overly worried about their safety are often deemed paranoid. However, there's nothing paranoid about following safety tips and protecting your well-being.
Paranoia manifests itself by feeling threatened when there is no actual threat (or evidence of it). Hence, following general safety tips and safety reminders and being aware of when to use them is a great indicator of a self-aware and well-rounded person. When it comes to good safety tips, we are quick to judge them for being "extra" and over the top, yet, once something, heaven forbid, bad happens, we wish we knew better and actually took them seriously. Good tips concerning your safety don't obligate you to stop posting on social media altogether, never travel alone, or never meet a stranger on a dating app. Instead, safety tips give you advice on how to do it smarter, posing the least threat to your safety (or that of someone you love), which is all that matters at the end of the day — that everyone comes back home safe.
Below, we've compiled some of the best safety tips (and potentially life-saving tips) that we have scoured online (and from our own personal experiences) to deliver you a comprehensive guide to help protect yourself, your home, and your loved ones. Make sure to upvote the tips you follow and agree with, and let us know what other safety tip, which hasn't been mentioned in the list, you'd like to share with others! (This is the perfect instance to equip the good ol' "sharing is caring.")
#1 Don’t Do Stupid Things For Photos
It seems that in the era of Instagram (do it for the Gram) and now TikTok, travelers often take on riskier activities only to get likes on social media or go viral. People falling from cliffs or being mauled by animals while attempting to take sick photos are reported way too often. Avoid making foolish decisions that might put your life in danger. Don't stand on a cliff's edge if it's windy or unstable. Everywhere you go, pay heed to the posted signs and cautions.
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#2 Lift Objects Carefully
Perhaps not in a few years' time, but one day, your back (and joints) will thank you for it. Instead of bending at the waist to pick up objects, experts suggest squatting and utilizing your knees since not doing so might strain your back and increase your risk of injury. Also, always ask for assistance or use available equipment if you need help carrying heavy objects.
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#3 Do Not Overshare On Social Media
People often share vacation photos while still away from home. The danger lurking, in this case, is that the thieves, knowing you are away, may attempt to rob your house. Moreover, avoid responding to social media invites to gatherings that include everyone living in your house. Doing so might alert the wrong individuals that nobody will be home at a specific time.
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#4 Missing Person Protocol
While this may seem like common sense, you should immediately inform the emergency services at 9-1-1 or 1-1-2 (depending on where you are) when someone is confirmed missing. A person does not need to be gone for 24 hours for the police to start looking for them. The waiting period is a myth. In fact, the first 24 hours are the most important for finding a missing person. Hence, the sooner the police get a report, the sooner they can start working to find the missing person.
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#5 Never Trust That A Phone Call Placed To Your Room Phone In A Hotel Was Made From Inside The Hotel
For instance, if the front desk calls the phone in your room to inform you that something has to be fixed in your room, that something needs to be delivered to you, or that there is a problem with your credit card, hang up and make another call to the front desk. Calls can appear to have originated from within the hotel when they actually didn't.
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#6 Turn Off Geo-Locating On Social Media
Your social media apps' location tagging should be off. Really, do you want everyone to be aware of your whereabouts, where you've been, and the precise location where a photo was taken? Use a caption to describe what you're seeing, but be general. Also, avoid tagging your home location or anywhere nearby and never your home address.
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#7 Lock Your Second-Floor Windows
Since most homeowners don't tend to secure their upstairs windows and doors, robbers who prefer to enter a property through a second-floor window are known as "second-story men." So, before leaving your home, carefully secure the entry points to the second story. You may want to lock any ladders you keep outdoors to stop robbers from using them to enter your home.
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#8 Ask Locals For Advice
Ask a local to the area if you really want to know which neighborhoods are safe and which can be fishy. Most of the population is amiable and will advise you on avoiding risky areas. But if a complete stranger gives you advice, it's also a good idea to get a second opinion in case they were just trying to be helpful and didn't know what they were talking about (or worse, are trying to scam you).
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#9 Buy Two Air Horns
Think of purchasing a set of air horns, one for you and one for your neighbor. You should agree to contact 9-1-1 and give emergency personnel directions to the other's home if you hear this air horn. Once they hear that blaring sound during the early hours of the night, they'll immediately realize something is wrong and that your household needs urgent help.
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#10 Install At-Home Failsafes
Install one or more functioning smoke detectors — one on each home floor — and a carbon monoxide detector. Finally, teach your family and yourself what to do in case of an emergency.
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#11 Get Travel Insurance
If you have decent travel insurance, you can almost be entirely chill if you're genuinely concerned about the security of your belongings. Most comprehensive travel insurance plans (not just medical) cover theft, loss, or damage of your baggage and other personal items.
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#12 Microchip Your Pets
The American Kennel Club reported that the criminal activity known as "dog flipping" is on the rise. It was especially "popular" during the spread of Covid. "Dog flipping" happens when a robber snatches your dog and later sells it for a profit. Every year, two million pets are reportedly stolen in America. Hence, invest in a microchip for your dog, a permanent I.D. the size of a rice grain implanted beneath the dog's skin, to keep him secure. Even though it might seem intrusive, your mute dog would probably highly appreciate it.
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#13 Learn Common Travel Scams
There's always someone willing to con you out of your hard-earned money wherever you travel around the globe. If you're lucky, the scam part will be rather obvious. However, there are also a lot of more slick, let's call them, seasoned scam artists out there. Everyone believes they are too smart to be conned, yet it does happen, and everyone can become a scammer's target. To learn more, check out our post featuring the most common travel scams to watch out for when traveling.
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#14 Learn Basic Self-Defense
Although you don't need a black belt, taking a few self-defense lessons is still a wise investment in your safety. Muay Thai or Krav Maga are two efficient street fighting techniques to consider. Next, understand when it's appropriate to use it. Kicking someone in the crotch doesn't always make sense just because you can. Do everything you can to avoid a violent altercation, but strike explosively to gain the upper hand and flee when all else fails.
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#15 Save The Poison Control Hotline On Your Phone
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), 90% of reported poison control center exposures occur at home. Save the toll-free hotline number (1-800-222-1222) on your phone and keep it somewhere visible around the house (like a fridge door) for babysitters and guests to use.
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#16 Pack Emergency Gear In Your Car's Trunk
Use the spare space in your car to store whatever you could require in an emergency. It could be jumper cables, water bottles, blankets, flares, reflective vests, a first aid kit, changes of clothes, flashlights, or small shovels. Having these things on hand and not needing them is way better than needing them and not having them.
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#17 Hide Emergency Cash
While taking all reasonable precautions to avoid worst-case scenarios is essential, it's also wise to expect them to occur and make plans in advance. It's not because you are a pessimist but rather because you are a realist. This is the rationale for keeping emergency money in a secure location.
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#18 Fence In Your Pool
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates a yearly average of 379 pool or spa-related fatalities involving children under the age of 15. In fact, drowning is the top cause of accidental mortality for kids between the ages of 1 and 4. While not using the pool, ensure it's locked, fenced, and gated. Also, consider a pool alarm that activates a siren if someone falls in as a second line of protection.
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#19 Food & Water Safety
Traveler's diarrhea and other illnesses can be brought on by contaminated food or beverages. Particular risks are often (yet not necessarily) associated with specific locations, so be sure to research the local cuisine and other travelers' experiences with the street food vendors. Generally, if you don't want to risk it, avoid raw foods, street food, and bushmeat (aka local wild game). Nonetheless, when traveling, don't be afraid of the local cuisine. In fact, for many travelers, sampling exotic cuisines is a highlight of their journeys.
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#20 Travel In Numbers
The more people you have in your close surroundings, the more eyes are on your assets, and the more legs are available to chase after crooks. A group also has a significantly stronger physical presence, discouraging predators of all types. Make some new acquaintances and go exploring together if you're traveling alone.
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