Safety Tips for Travelling
Here are some tips for when you travel to ensure you return home with all your belongings
A much-needed holiday is the one thing everyone looks forward to, but unfortunately, we live in a time where crime rates have skyrocketed resulting in numerous incidents that leave a sour taste in one’s mouth. Here are some tips for when you travel to ensure you return home with all your belongings:
1. At the Airport
· Make sure your bags and luggage have locks and name tags.
· Do not allow people to tamper with your bags.
· When seeking directions, proceed to marked information counters only.
2. At the Hotel, guesthouse, or other accommodation
· Report any suspicious, unattended luggage or parcels to the personnel at reception.
· Never leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked away in your room.
· Store valuables in the safety deposit box.
· Keep your room locked.
· If someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door. Contact reception if you have any reason for concern.
· Hand your keys in whenever you leave.
· Make sure that luggage is only given to the bell staff and that a receipt is issued for stored luggage.
3. On the street
· Avoid an ostentatious display of expensive jewelry, cameras, mobile phones and other valuables.
· Keep your handbag with you, keep it closed or zipped, and do not leave it unattended.
· Keep your mobile phone with you and do not leave it unattended.
· Do not carry large sums of money with you.
· Exchange your currency at a bank or at the hotel – never exchange it on the street.
· Carry your wallet in an inside pocket – never in the rear pocket of your trousers.
· Credit card transactions must be processed in your presence.
· At night, stay away from dark, isolated areas.
· It is always better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit, busy streets.
· Plan your route beforehand and, as far as possible, do not ask directions from strangers.
· A police officer or traffic officer will be happy to direct you if you get lost.
· Should you want to call a taxi, your hotel or the South African Tourism helpline (contact number: 083 123 6789) can recommend a reliable service.
4. In your vehicle
· Plan your route in advance.
· Keep the doors locked and wind the windows up at all times.
· Do not leave your mobile phone or other valuables where they are visible from outside the vehicle.
· Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk) before your departure.
· At night, park in well-lit areas.
· Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
· If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice and help.
· Make sure you have the number of a car rental company at hand in case you get stranded.
5. On hiking trails
· In the interests of personal safety and having assistance in the case of a physical or medical emergency, it is advisable to explore trails in groups.
· Steer away from isolated areas unless accompanied by a guide.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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