As schools let out and summer vacation planning is in full swing, please keep safety top of mind. Just as summer travel is slated to reach pre-pandemic levels, the US State Department has issued a Worldwide Caution on the increased potential for terrorist attacks and demonstrations, and also for violent actions against LGBTQI+ persons and events. Other travel concerns this season include natural disasters and weather-related disruptions.
Now more than ever, it’s important to develop a travel security plan that covers personal health and safety and prepares travelers for emergencies. Here are a few tips and resources:
Personal Health and Safety
Both polio and measles have had a resurgence in certain areas of the world so it pays to review a destination’s Travel Health Notices on the CDC website and be sure to know vaccine requirements.
During travel, maintain vigilance near transport hubs, tourist attractions, and other “soft targets” with limited security.
When out and about, practice good situational awareness. It’s easy to be distracted in new places so keep tabs of your belongings and your surroundings at all times.
Emergency Preparedness
Give a copy of your itinerary to a friend or family member who isn’t traveling with you, along with a printout of your passport, driver's license, and emergency information.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) (or your home country’s equivalent) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
Check for sudden-onset / natural disasters on the Global Disaster Alert Coordination System (GDACS) website, which is a cooperation framework between the United Nations, the European Commission and disaster managers worldwide.
General
Avoid posting about travels in real time to protect yourself on the road and maintain security at a vacant home.
Consider an extra locking mechanism for hotel doors. A common type is placed behind and under a door to act as a wedge and extra resistance when opening the door; they typically have an alarm mechanism.
Here's to safe travels!