Whether traveling in the United States or Internationally safety is priority. You should follow the same safety standard you use at home while traveling.
When I mentioned to people that I planned to travel throughout Europe and Southeast Asia, some expressed concerned for safety. Saying things like… girl, you better be careful. It was how they said it, as if these areas were worse than the U.S. My response was always… you mean be careful like I am in the States where mass shootings occurs almost yearly. Yes, there are some countries that are at war (e.g., Russia & Ukraine) and I have no plans to visit them or cities close to their borders.
Through my research I’ve discovered that most of the European countries have low crime rates. Some countries don’t allow their citizens to own firearms. The latest Safety Index ranks the U.S. at #91 out of 148 countries.
There are several things you can do to keep yourself safe while traveling:
iPhone Find My feature: If you have an iPhone there is a feature to find your Apple products. I’ve had to use the feature before when I got home and realized I didn’t have my phone. I used my laptop to Find My Phone and saw that it was in the grocery store where I last stopped. (Note: I always use the phone lock feature. This is very useful if you lose your phone. No one would be able to access your phone without the code. I also have a picture of myself on the main screen. This helped prove to the grocery store clerk that the phone was mine.)
The iPhone also allows you to give someone access to your location. Before leaving the States, I gave my sister access. This feature gives access to all Apple products on your phone. My sister can track me through my phone, air tags (in suitcase & on my person), air pods, and Apple watch.
Door Stop Alarm: Most hotel rooms have that lever that you can flip to stop someone from entering your room. However, what about an Airbnb. This is where a door stop alarm is handy. The alarm is activated if the door is opened. The door stop can also be used as a standard door stop by turning off the alarm button. You can get these at Walmart for less than $12.
Key Chain Alarm: This is a small personal alarm. You can clip it to your keys, purse, bookbag, or pant belt loop. If the unit is pulled apart, a loud piercing sound will get the attention of those around. It also has a built-in LED light. Purchased on Amazon for $19.
