8 Ways to Stay Safe on the Road
Updated: May 10, 2019
Travelers live normal lives. They go out with friends at night. They exercise outside. Some take public transportation. They don’t live in plastic bubbles.
Right now, it’s difficult to feel safe when out and about in public. Unfortunately, travel healthcare workers are not immune to that problem.
So, how do travelers ensure they are safe while on the road? Here are a few tips to live by while on assignment.
Avoid dark areas or tourist areas at night. It may seem obvious, but crimes are much more easily committed in dark areas where nobody can see. It’s also much harder to get help in those types of areas. Simply stick to well-lit areas, roads, and walking paths
Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t constantly blare music while walking around. I’m guilty of this. Turn it down, or simply go without if you are walking alone. This will allow you to hear everything around you.
Keep extra cash on hand for transportation. It’s important to keep a separate stash of money for transportation in case you have to quickly get away from an uncomfortable situation. Keep track of when the last bus/subway leaves your area. Keep a phone number to a local cab service if you miss the last bus/train.
Be skeptical. If someone is being overly nice and relentlessly trying to “help” you, they may be setting you up to be robbed. This is not normal behavior.
Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If you don’t feel comfortable with something, you are likely right. Get out of there in a hurry.
Fight back. If all else fails, defend yourself. Carry pepper spray. Take a self-defense class. Do something to respond if something ever turned violent.
What tips do you have to keep safe? Comment below!