When I am getting ready for a trip, I feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Of course, traveling is a passion, it’s a rush, it’s a gateway to the world, but one must always plan to take the necessary safety precautions, especially as a woman. This involves a mixture of pre-trip preparation and in-the-field experience (or faking experience, as it turns out).

#1 Knowledge is Power

The challenges and dangers of a trip are determined exactly by where you are headed. Before you even book your flight, do some research. What is going on politically in the region? What do other travelers have to say about safety? I will usually check with my country’s International Affairs ministry for the Latest Travel Notices.

For general information such as site-seeing scams, muggings and the myriad of other dangers that lurk around the world, your best bet to get the inside information is from someone who has already experienced the area. Get advice from friends who have been to the area, or better, if you know any locals, go ahead and get the skinny from them. Once you are there, know who to ask for help.  A hotel concierge is a best bet, and ask a local woman what you can do to ensure your safety as well.

What are the right questions to be asking?

– Are taxis and other forms of local transport safe?

– Are there any parts of town that I should avoid?

– Are there any common scams that occur here?

#2 Use your Technology 

Upon confirming my trip, I will always register my itinerary with my family and my country’s Foreign Affairs ministry at https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action In the age of high-tech traveling, one has a friend in a smartphone. If WIFI is available or a data plan is affordable, go ahead and put your GPS on so that a friend / family  can track your whereabouts. This is a website with a great compilation of handy apps to make your travels safe and smooth: http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/safety-tips/category/travel-websites/tip/smartphone-travel-applications.

Phones are a great way to back up any important information and have it on the GO. I’ll often take a screenshot of a google map / directions that I’ll need in the future. Take photos (or Evernote) of all of your important documents in the event that they are lost.

For emergencies on the ground, carry a personal security sound alarm. If you are in danger, activate the alarm to signal that you need help!

#3 Know the Territory (Or at least Pretend)

I asked my network of extraordinary traveling women friends what they recommend as a basic safety precaution and one answer in particular prevailed: ALWAYS WALK WITH A PURPOSE! So you just landed in a foreign country, you may not speak the language, your bearings are all out of whack, and you are extremely jet-lagged.  Although you feel out of your element and vulnerable, you do not want to look like it. Ask for directions with confidence and stride with confidence. A stern look and a brisk pace will not only make you feel more able and confident, but will let others know you are not one to be messed with. If you need to check your map, try to do so discreetly.

#4 Odds and Ends

Women have a particularly important necessity to be careful in different regions of the world. Do not STICK OUT as particularly different or vulnerable. Here are some ideas which are obviously dependent on the areas you are visiting:

• Dress the part. What do women traditionally wear in your destination? Is it extremely conservative? Always cater to the cultural norm. Some places have more diversity in clothing than others, but traveling in a foreign country is not always the time to break out a daring new outfit. I will always pack a long-sleeve cardigan and long pants for visits to religious monuments.
• Use a back-up story (I’ve used the “my husband is waiting for me outside” line many times) and wear a “wedding band” on your ring finger.
• Print out the hospitals’ addresses, that way, if there’s a health emergency, you’re all set with where to go and your insurance company knows that you’re filing from abroad.
• Have emergency documents such as photocopies of your passport(s) and contacts at hand including the number(s) to your country’s embassy and your travel insurer.
• Muggings happen. Make sure any valuables or money is kept out of sight. Keep cash separated on your person and luggage so that if someone does take your purse, pick your pocket, etc., they won’t get your whole stash. I always wear a money belt under my top.
• When you’re switching currencies count your bills out loud as you hand them over to the money changer. (Prevents a $100 bill from disappearing into their wallets. Ouch.)
• Do not broadcast your exact whereabouts (mainly lodging information) on public social media until after you have left the place to ensure no unintended visitors.
• Take toilet paper & a small supply of general medication (e.g. aspirins, diarrhea pills etc) everywhere.
• Learn karate!!!! (i have yet to do so though)