BEFORE
-Scan important documents like your passport and credit card or banking information and save them in a secure file online as well as print out a copy to leave at home.
-Make sure you call your bank to let them know where you are traveling and let them know the duration of your stay so they can put a note in your file to protect your account from fraud charges.
-Write down the address of your destination and keep it in your wallet just in case the battery dies on your phone.
-Make sure you always have a password to unlock your phone.
-If you have an iPhone, iPad or Mac computer, download the Find iPhone app on a device kept at home or wherever you are staying. God forbid your device is stolen, the Find iPhone app will enable you to lock and locate your device.
-Google the emergency phone numbers if you are traveling abroad and save them in your contacts in case of an emergency.
SCAMS
-Scams are a problem all over the world. Do your research on what kind of scams to look out for. Make sure you keep your eyes open, use your best judgment, keep your guard up and don’t get taken advantage of.
-Don’t hand your camera or camera phone to just anyone to take a picture of you. Make sure you ask someone who looks trustworthy before you hand your phone or camera to a stranger.
-Never set your purse down on the ground or on the back of a chair, and don’t check a bag full of valuables at a restaurant or club. If you have to check in a bag at coat check, make sure you take anything valuable with you or leave it at home. Ladies, make sure you zip up/close your purse.
-Never leave valuables exposed in your car. If you park in an unsecured parking lot, conceal anything valuable in the car by putting things in the trunk or under the seat.
- Keep an eye on your drink when in bars. This may seem a bit paranoid, but you should never leave your drink available or unattended to give someone else to have a chance to tamper with it.
-Don’t get your wallet out in public - especially at busy train stations. Protect your wallet at all times while traveling.
The above are things to think about and plan BEFORE you travel, so they all seem natural and instinctive WHILE traveling and won't get in the way of having a great time. So the next time you tell someone to "have a safe trip," maybe also remind them to take along the checklist above because planning for safety is planning to have fun!