Human beings are the most prolific migratory species on Earth, which is probably the reason why we have an innate desire to explore new cultures and traditions of different peoples from around the world.  So it’s not surprising that when we get time off from work, many of us take that time to Travel, often to distant lands, to experience something completely different.  These expeditions frequently become our most cherished memories. 

But they can also be dreaded nightmares if something goes awry for us in a far off land, without the comfort and self-assurance of familiar surroundings to bolster us in times of anxiety and stress.  But with a little preplanning we can guard against foreseeable disquiet during our vacations. 

Here are a few simple tips that can help you feel as secure while traveling, as you would be in the safety of your own backyard. 

Tip #1: Make Sure Your Home Is Secure Before You Leave 

First thing, no matter what else you do – do not announce on your various social media accounts that you are taking a vacation and especially don’t share when you will be absent from your home.  This is an invitation to crooks who troll social media for just this type of information. 

Second, do inform your trusted neighbors, especially if you are enrolled in a Neighborhood Watch program, of the dates you will be gone and ask them to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around your home.  Some local police departments have an online form you can fill out, informing them when you will be gone and pre-authorizing full access to your home and trespass arrest authority if they find any person on your property. 

Tip #2: Travel Insurance 

You carry insurance on most of the big-ticket items you’ve collected during your lifetime, starting with yourself, then your family, your home, your car, and even household electronics and appliances.  You are probably going to spend a sizeable percentage of your income on a vacation – so why not insure it? 

There are many different types of vacation insurance policies and their coverages all vary.  It is pretty much up to you to decide what part of your vacation you wish to insure. 

Most travel insurance plans are package policies that include various coverages like trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, lost or delayed baggage, medical coverage, and medical evacuation.  Talk to your insurance advisor and be sure to tell her or him about any special venues that you may be experiencing during vacation. 

For example, if you are traveling by cruise ship, you might want to include special coverage for that category in your policy.  An attorney at the Louis A. Vucci, P.A. law firm explains the risks of cruise ship excursions, “While many people enjoy cruising, unfortunately crimes committed against cruise ship passengers have been on the rise for the past decade, with thefts and robberies accounting for many of the crimes.” 

Tip #3: Make Copies of All Your Identification Papers 

It may be just as easy to lose your wallet or your purse while you’re on vacation as it is at home, but it definitely won’t be as easy to replace your driver’s license, passport, credit and bank cards while you are on vacation – and especially if you are out of the country. 

Simply scanning and printing all of your I.D.s and keeping them separate from the originals while you’re traveling will make replacing them much easier and less stressful tasks.  And, in emergencies, they can ostensibly substitute for the originals with officials.  At least you will have a record of all the various identification numbers and codes at your disposal. 

Tip #4: Touch Supervision with Smaller Children 

Recreational activities, such as swimming, hiking, climbing or bike riding, etc. are a slightly different hazard issue when you are far away from home, simply because of unfamiliarity with the surroundings.  So, if you’re traveling with very young children (aged 1 to 5), it’s a good idea to employ even stricter “touch supervision” criteria. 

This simply means that an adult must be within reaching distance of these children and paying attention to them if they’re in a situation vulnerable to accidents.  Your focus should definitely be on the playing youngsters, rather than letting yourself get lost in a book, or conversation, or even falling asleep.   

Vigilance is an important part of parenting during these recreational vacation moments.   Remember, about half of child drownings take place within 25 yards of an adult. 

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