8 Travel Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

Traveling is a great way to see the world around you. There is so much to do and see that one could often get caught up in the culture and experiences they encounter. Though getting away from your normal surroundings can be exciting and relaxing, there are some risks while traveling that you should be aware of. Below are a few travel safety tips you probably didn't think of, but really need to.

1. Know Where Pharmacies Are
Imagine being on vacation and running out of a medication that you need? Do you pack your things and head back home because you can't get your medication? Leaving would be rather extreme – especially where there is an easier option. Prior to going on vacation, do an internet search to find a pharmacy near me using the location of your hotel. This way, should you need to have a prescription filled right away, you know exactly where to turn.

2. Pack a First Aid Kit
You may be heading to the white sand beaches of Miami, FL, or you could decide to go for a hike through a scenic trail, but accidents can happen anywhere. Scrapes, cuts, bruises, and even worse could occur while you're away on vacation and if you don't know how to get help fast, you'll need resources to patch yourself up. A first aid kit can help you treat a snake bite while on a hiking trip or fix a boo-boo your little one got while on the playground.

3. Check Your Insurance
Before leaving for vacation it is important to check both your car and health insurance. No one goes on vacation planning to get into an accident or get sick, but you'll want to be prepared should it occur. Determine what medical treatment is covered while out of town and where you can seek treatment that will accept your health insurance. Also, find out if your car insurance covers rentals and what to do if you're in an accident while traveling.

4. Leave an Itinerary
Those who are going on vacation with you aren't the only ones that need to know where you'll be and what you'll be doing. You never know what could happen while you're traveling. Therefore, you want to let someone who isn't going on the trip with you know where you'll be. This can help them to get to you or tell authorities where you were last visiting should something go wrong.

5. Wear Proper Gear
Thinking of hiking, boating, fishing, or riding a bike while you're away? These are all great pastimes, but of course, they all come with some risk. To ensure that you're not hurt while enjoying yourself, it is ideal to wear any proper safety gear required. Wearing helmets and pads while riding a bike, strapping on a life jacket while boating, and wearing athletic sneakers and a backpack during hiking are all ways to ensure you don't end up hurt.

6. Emergency Car Kit
Road tripping across several states? If so, you'll want to make sure that you have an emergency car kit on hand. You never know when you might end up stranded on the side of the road. You'll want to have some basic tools to tend to common car issues like a flat tire. However, you'll also want to have other supplies like snacks, water, a flash light, and an empty gas can just in case.

7. Have an Emergency Plan
Chances are you've seen the famed movie Home Alone. The story of a family who somehow, two Christmases in a row forgets their child at home or in another city. While it may not be that extreme for you, when you're traveling with younger children they can easily get lost. It is a good idea to have an emergency plan in place. Instruct children on where to go should they be lost, provide them with emergency contact numbers, and even discuss things like stranger danger to keep them safe while away from home.

8. Don't Announce on Social Media
Social media is a common platform for sharing pictures with friends and family while you're on vacation. While you may be eager to post those bikini shots or family photos at an amusement park, sharing these pictures while you're on vacation lets suspicious characters know you're not home which could lead to a burglary. Wait until you're home to post your travel photos.

You probably never thought about bumps, bruises, scrapes, car emergencies, or medical emergencies while you were planning your next trip. However, before you hop on the plane or car for some fun in the sun, make sure that you've taken necessary precautions to stay safe.