You may dream of visiting places far away but never venture much beyond your city limits due to fears for your safety. Although there are risks to traveling, there’s no reason for it to be any more dangerous than staying in your hometown. With proper preparation and awareness, you can take control of your risks and help you stay safe.
Risk 1: Falling ILL
The last thing you want is to get sick when you’re away from home, and, as a senior, you’re at greater risk than the average traveler. However, there are things you can do both to stay healthy during your trip and to be prepared if you do become ill.
Safety Tips
Talk to your doctor about your travel plans to receive recommendations before you leave. Depending on where you’re going, you may need vaccinations or need to take a certain medication, such as antimalarials. If you take a prescription medication, you may need a refill in advance. In addition, make sure you’re clear about when you’ll take your medications when changing time zones. Lastly, use the opportunity to discuss any concerns you have, such as for avoiding altitude sickness, motion sickness, or foods that could interact with your medications or medical conditions.
Risk 2: Becoming a Target for Criminals
Professional thieves and other criminals find it easy to detect who is a tourist. Of course, some places are far more dangerous than others, and there are always things you can do to protect yourself.
Safety Tips
The most important thing to do is choose destinations that have low crime rates, particularly low crime against tourists. Beyond that, make yourself less of a target by keeping your jewelry to a minimum and carrying only small quantities of cash. If you’re visiting a country where you need to pay mostly in cash or you prefer to use cash to protect yourself from credit card fraud, take just what you need for the day and leave the rest in your hotel. Always book hotels that have a safe in the room. Lastly, research common scams for the places you’re visiting to know what to stay alert for.
Risk 3: Getting in Trouble with the Authorities
The laws in the country you’re visiting may be quite different than what you’re used to. It’s important to avoid making mistakes that could land you in trouble by researching the rules, culture, and norms before you arrive.
Safety Tips
Find out what is acceptable to wear in the country you’re visiting. Some countries may require you to use loose-fitting clothes and long sleeves, pants, and skirts. You should also check for restrictions about what you can bring in and out of the country. For instance, an over-the-counter medicine you take for granted may be illegal and you may not be allowed to take currency, certain foods, or religious items with you when you leave.
Risk 4: Unexpected Costs
It’s smart to aim to stay a little under budget to have enough to cover unexpected costs, but there’s always the risk you could face major expenses that you haven’t budgeted for. This includes medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and stolen valuables.
Safety Tips
You should always have travel insurance when you take a trip. It will only be a small expense and could save you a huge amount, especially if you choose a policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions, trip cancellations, and lost or stolen luggage.
Risk 5: Making Your Home a Target for Burglaries
As well as facing risks yourself while you’re abroad, you home may be at risk while you’re away. For instance, if bad actors are aware you’re leaving your house unattended, it may become a target for a burglary.
Safety Tips
Avoid posting about your trip on social media, both before and while you’re away. Wait until you’re back home to upload any photos, even if you’re using privacy settings that should mean only your friends see your posts. It may also be worth asking someone to house-sit or to at least check your home periodically to make it less obvious that you’re away.
Has this convinced you to finally go ahead and book a trip? Check out our articles and subscribe to news alerts from Silver&Smart for more travel tips and to learn about top destinations you may like to visit.