A few basic precautions will help to keep you safe while you are on your travels. The basic trick is to blend in, keep out of areas where you're likely to become a target, stay alert and carry your valuables securely.
However, in the unfortunate event that things do go wrong, there are a few preparations you can do before you leave that will make getting yourself sorted that bit easier.
- Take a passport pouch, also known as a money belt. These either go around the waist, just under your trousers or hang around your neck and are the safest way to carry your valuables.
- Leave a photocopy of all your important documents at home with family or a friend. Include a copy of your passport, credit cards, insurance policies and the serial numbers of any traveller's cheques you are taking.
- Don't keep all your money in one place. Stash some emergency funds taped to the inside of your backpack or inside an address book. Keep enough money to cover a night's accommodation in a hostel or transport fare to the nearest embassy in case of an emergency.
- Write some emergency numbers and the access codes for your internet finances on a card and keep it in your passport pouch. Make sure that you disguise your access codes though with abbreviations that you will remember.
- In the event of everything being stolen, the first job is to file a police report at the nearest station. Ask for a numbered copy of the police report, as this will speed up the issuing of a new passport when you go to the embassy.
For more tips and suggestions on documentation and security look up the Ultimate Journey section in The Rough Guide First-Time Around the World.
For more detail on exactly what to do when things go awry, The Rough Guide to Travel Survival is your best protection. It includes all emergency numbers around the world and embassy hotlines for Brits, Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians.
Here is our Pre-departure health schedule:
Six months before departure- If you want Hepatitis A & B combination vaccination that's good for ten years' then you'll need six months to get the injection.
Two months before departure- Get a medical check-up
- Check the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention's website www.cdc.gov to see what injections you'll need and get booked in.
One month before departure- Visit your dentist for a check-up.
One to two weeks before departure- Start taking your anti-malarials if you are heading directly to a malarial region.
The Rough Guide to Travel Health has details of vaccinations and advice for keeping healthy while you are on the road.
