In bustling tourist centers, things can go wrong in the blink of an eye. Follow the travel safety tips below to avoid scammers, thieves, & other concerns during your summer adventures

It’s prime vacation season, and while it’s fun to lose yourself in the sights and sounds of tourist hot spots, it’s important to stay vigilant and make safety a priority.

Use the travel safety tips and strategies below to make your summer vacation safe, fun, and full of lasting memories.

Keep Your Guard Up

Travelers are prime targets for thieves, scammers, and other criminals—especially in tourist areas. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers know most travelers keep a lot of cash and valuables on them, and crowded city centers and venues provide the perfect cover.

It also doesn’t help that tourists are usually easy to spot, often carrying backpacks or luggage and dressing differently than the locals. 

So, when exploring busy travel destinations, stay vigilant, be careful not to fully let your guard down, and of course:

Secure Your Essentials, & Leave the Rest at the Hotel

Thieves want as little friction as possible when stealing from someone, so they’ll always pick who they think will be the easiest target. 

If you’re walking through a crowded area with a purse hanging loosely at your side or a backpack with no locks or slash-proof material, your chances of being singled out are likely much higher than those who’ve secured their belongings. Appearing distracted or lost will make you stand out as well.

The harder of a mark you can make yourself, the less likely you are to become a victim of theft. 

To shrink that target on your back, keep essential items in secure zipper or inside pockets. Invest in a slash-proof backpack and wear it on your front when you enter a crowd. You can also use a fanny pack or cross-body bag instead of a purse. These allow you to fasten them close to your body for easy access and protection.

Another crucial travel safety tip is to never carry all your money and valuables on you, especially items like flashy and expensive jewelry. Take only what you need that day (phone, ID, room key, one credit or debit card, enough cash for your planned activities and a ride home, etc.), and don’t bother bringing the rest. 

This travel safety tip ensures that if you get held up, you’ll have backup cash and cards at your hotel or Airbnb to continue your trip.

Dress for Success

When suiting up for summer vacation, be sure to dress for the weather, the day’s activities, and personal safety. 

If possible, wear clothes with inside or otherwise concealed or secured pockets. Wear supportive, comfortable shoes if you’ll be doing a lot of walking. And keep the UV rays at bay with hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, reapplying once every couple of hours.

Keep Your Phone Charged & Handy at All Times

Your phone is your lifeline and only connection to your travel buddies, loved ones back home, and emergency help in a crisis. 

Make sure it’s fully charged or has enough battery life to last the day (or as long as possible) before you head out. Also, pack at least one portable phone charger (two, preferably) and carry it with you during long days.

Stay Hydrated, Take Breaks, & Listen to Your Body

Dehydration and summer go together like bread and butter. Add a bustling crowd and tourist attractions to the mix, and the combination of heat and excitement can quickly become overwhelming.

Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, take regular breaks to find shade and let your body cool down, and heed your body’s signals. If you start to feel sluggish, light-headed, or dizzy, seek shade and air conditioning immediately, and rehydrate yourself as soon as possible.

Watch Out for Scammers

Thieves aren’t the only ones who target tourists. Watch out for streetside salesmen who offer their services without you asking, people who want to lead you to “hidden gem” shops with cheap prices, and insecure public WiFi hotspots.

This is also why it’s important to stick to official transportation and rideshare services. Illegitimate services take advantage of tourists by taking longer routes or using “faulty” meters to overcharge. So, if the car is unmarked or gives you a weird vibe, follow the travel safety tip below and steer clear.

When Your Gut Speaks, Listen

In tricky or uncertain scenarios, your instincts are the best travel guide. Whether it’s a person, activity, or area you’re visiting, if something feels off, trust your gut and do what you have to do to remove yourself from the situation.

Set Yourself Up With Rapid Emergency Response

If you’re vacationing in the US, there’s no faster way to get emergency help than the Rescu app. That’s because Rescu allows you to dispatch fire, police, or ambulance services to your exact location with just two taps on your smartphone or Apple Watch. No talking required.

Plus, unlike 911, there’s no risk of network outages or delays due to difficulty communicating over the phone, staffing shortages, prank calls, non-emergency calls, etc. 

No matter where you find yourself this summer, as long as you’re in the US, two taps are all it takes to notify emergency personnel of your current location, dispatch the nearest response team, and get the help you need twenty times faster than 911. It’s the ultimate travel safety tip!

Visit our homepage to learn more about Rescu, or interact with the buttons below to download today.