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How to stay safe while traveling to a new destination for the first time

Let’s get started with the following on what you can do for safe travels every time.

If you’re someone who travels, you do whatever it takes to stay safe. Especially when it comes to visiting a new destination. This guide will go over the list of things you need to do in order to make every trip to someplace new a successful one.

It’s important that you follow this list below. You may be new to traveling on a regular basis. This guide will be a lifesaver and will teach you to become more aware of what could go wrong during your travels. Don’t be discouraged – be more informed and things will go well.

Let’s get started with the following on what you can do for safe travels every time.

Say ‘no’ to drugs or alcohol
One of the top dangers of travelers in a new destination involves drugs and alcohol. If you are already dealing with substance abuse issues, it can hamper your travels and lead to serious consequences. That’s why it’s better to hold off on your travels and get the help you need.

Finding drug rehab in Houston will be your first step. After you have gotten better, you can celebrate your newfound sobriety by traveling to a new place you’ve never been to. It’s all part of life after treatment.

Another thing to also say “no” to is when someone offers you a drink or a type of drug. There are plenty of horror stories that exist about someone saying yes to drugs or a drink from someone they don’t know. It can also lead to fatal consequences as well.

If you are traveling solo, it’s important to play it safe. Sometimes, it’s better to say ‘no’ to drinking or alcohol. If you are indeed drinking (regardless if it’s alcoholic or not), never leave it unattended.

Some people may have enough skill to slip a drug (such as GHB) without you ever noticing it. Your situational awareness must be sharp whenever you’re out alone. Our next tip will involve traveling with friends.
Use the buddy system

The tried and true buddy system is great for keeping fellow travelers safe. If you’re in an unfamiliar place, you can help each other out while going from point A to point B. At the same time, you and your friends need to be each other’s extra sets of eyes, ears, and so on.

That’s because you will need to pay attention to areas and situations that may seem a little sketchy. One friend may notice something that seems off and would suggest rerouting. Our instincts are almost never wrong.

So if one of your friends that travels with you says that ‘something’s up’, you may want to take it seriously. It’s good to have a friend throw caution to the wind. But if you’re traveling solo, you might not have that luxury.

Study the area before you go
We live in an age where Google can help us research the destination we’re traveling to. You’ll want to spend time getting to know what to expect in the area. We suggest the following things to look for before you go somewhere new:

The location of where you are staying: Whether it’s a hotel, hostel, or AirBNB, it’s important to know the location. Right down to the address. You can even use Street View to see what the place looks like.

Does it have public transportation options: If you’re not renting a car, your best option is public transportation. Do they have buses? Do they have trains (or metro stations)? Is Uber or Lyft an option? This is something you’ll want to research before you go. The last thing you ever want to do is get lost and end up in a not so good part of the city. If the city has a metro system, find out where the closest station is from where you are staying. Also, plan ahead with how you’re going to navigate the city with it. If there’s a place of interest you want to visit, determine if it requires switching trains or lines (I.E – Red Line to Orange Line) or if it’s direct.

What do tourists check out: What are the popular places where tourists go to? Are you planning on visiting them? This is what you need to do research on. There are plenty of awesome sites to check out. Plus, there may be popular places that draws both tourists and locals alike.

Know the safe neighborhoods: As mentioned earlier, it’s never a good idea to accidentally end up in a bad area of a new city. So you’ll want to research areas that may be known for having concerns regarding crime. This may include visiting websites that have crime statistic maps for each part of the city. Yes, crime happens any place. But in some places, it’s more rampant than others. Most importantly, be sure to stick to the areas that are well-lit, since most criminal activity happens in the dark (such as robberies).

Don’t invite trouble
What we mean by this is don’t make yourself an easy target for criminals. This includes putting away expensive electronics like your phone. Don’t wear any jewelry that’s considered flashy.

It should also be a smart idea not to share your travel plans or anything personal with people you don’t know. One slip up and it may lead to trouble you weren’t expecting in the first place.

Final thoughts
If you do plan on traveling to a new destination, make sure that you follow these tips above. It can make the difference between a safe trip and one that might not be. You want to be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts, and make sure you do whatever it takes to protect yourself from danger.

We don’t do this to scare you. We want you to be aware that danger can exist, no matter where you are. We hope this guide brings you safe travels, wherever you may go.

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