As the U.S., and parts of the world, start to open up, travel is once more back on the table. However, it has been so long since we were able to move about freely. It makes it easy to forget how we used to practice safe travel with our family. Add in our thirst for a return to normalcy, and the result is often caution being thrown to the wind. Yet the truth is, regardless of destination, you should always take a little more care when in a new environment. Even if you feel safe, you shouldn’t be cavalier about your safety.
Here are a few common-sense safety tips to keep in mind when you are ready to safely explore and travel with your family.
#1. The Elephant in the Room
At the moment, the U.S. is currently vaccinating well over 3 million people a day. That is great news for Americans. It will not only help the country get to herd immunity faster, but it will also make family travel to far-flung destinations safer and more attainable. In fact, some countries, like Belize, Ecuador and Iceland, are already open to vaccinated travelers.
However, even with a green light to travel, it is important to keep in mind that many people have yet to be vaccinated. You can also carry (and pass along) the coronavirus once fully vaccinated. That is why it is essential to continue to practice social distancing, mask wearing and heightened sanitization – especially when traveling.
Admittedly, this can sometimes be uncomfortable. Take for instance my family’s recent road trip to Arizona. It was a mixed bag when it came to mask wearing. In some small towns, masks were noticeably absent indoors. That said, in larger towns, and at popular tourist attractions, there was better adoption. Although there continued to be many exceptions, even at sites where a mask mandate was in place. This often meant that my family stood out. And I’m sure, in places like Oatman, we were the butt of jokes, similar to the “liberal” tongue-in-cheek mugs sold next to the mine shaft.
#2. Pick Your Destination Wisely
Another thing to consider when traveling is the destination itself. In today’s environment, you not only have to think about whether the destination is suitable for your family, but you also have to take into account the coronavirus. Some states are doing better than others in both the rate of vaccination and the extent of virus spread. So, make sure you do your research before booking your flights and hotel.
The same is true for international destinations. Check the CDC’s 4-tier COVID system as well as U.S. Department of State travel advisories to determine the level of risk. Also think about worst case scenarios. Should you or a family member fall ill during your trip, are there adequate medical facilities where you are going?
Last but not least, think about your return to daily life after vacation. The principal of my eldest son’s school sent out a plea a few days ago. He understandably did not want in-person students, who had traveled out-of-state, to return to school after spring break without quarantining first. Until kids are vaccinated, all children should be tested for COVID 3-5 days after domestic travel. They should also stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel, per the CDC.
#3. Don’t Make it Obvious That You Are a Tourist
Remember how I said that my family sometimes stood out by wearing face masks in Arizona? Well, that is a “can’t be helped” exception to my “don’t stick out like a tourist” rule. If it weren’t for the coronavirus, I’d do everything I can to try and make my family blend in with the locals.
For instance, I make it a point to know where I am going whenever I’m in an unfamiliar setting. You won’t catch me with my head in a tourist street map. And, if I do find myself lost or unsure, I prefer to whip out my phone and discreetly find Google Maps. After all, the one ubiquitous thing that you can count on in most westernized countries is people with cellphones.
Similarly, I try to dress my family in non-flashy, non-Americanized clothes so that we don’t stand out in a crowd. I’ve even gone as far as to make my husband switch his sneakers, shorts, and baseball hat, for jeans, smarter shoes, and a collared shirt. We did this in Paris a few years ago. While other tourists were bombarded by gypsies in the Jardin des Tuileries, we were left alone. Of course, it also helps if you aren’t loudly conversing in English too; something that I often remind my kids. It really is amazing how blending in can help keep your family safe when you travel!
As a side note, I also try to learn about local dress codes in advance and plan accordingly. For instance, in Rome, we always left the hotel wearing clothes that covered our shoulders and the top half of our legs. This was because we knew we would be visiting religious sites.
#4. Be Observant and Trust Your Gut
In recent years, there has been much made of teaching children the benefits of mindfulness. While a lot of this effort is focused on the acknowledgement and acceptance of feelings, being aware and present in the moment is a great trick to use when traveling. Not only does it help you appreciate your family travel experiences more, but it can also help you stay safe. It can also get you out of trouble.
I’ve made a point to pay attention to what others are doing around me when my family is in an unfamiliar setting. I’ll copy, mimic, and take queues from people that seem to know what they are doing. Similarly, I actively keep an eye out for any and all forms of information.
This has served me well in the past. For instance, when traveling to Costa Rica a few years ago, I noticed some pamphlets at the San Jose airport. They were about local car jacking crimes. The advice provided was to keep driving until you find help. Under no circumstances were you to pull over to the side of the road – not even during the day. Thankfully I paid attention. When our front car tire was slashed at a roundabout, I knew exactly what to do. Despite the offenders aggressively tailing us in the hope that we would pull over to the side of the road, we kept driving toward Manuel Antonio. That is, until we saw some police at a gas station. At that point the perpetrators took off, with the police in hot pursuit.
#5. Lock Up and Be Careful with Valuables
It should go without saying that you should always lock your hotel room when you are inside. You should also teach your children to do the same. Similarly, always keep your car locked, even when you are inside, and don’t leave anything valuable in plain view. This includes iPads, or in my case, my kid’s Nintendo Switch.
Unfortunately, my in-laws learned this lesson the hard way in Europe. An opportunistic thief opened the back passenger door of their rental car, while they were inside, and took my mother-in-law’s handbag containing their passports, money and credit cards.
This brings me to another, related, piece of advice for family travel. Make use of your hotel safe to store passports, as well as spare ATM cards, credit cards, and excess cash. You do not want to be a walking around with everything of value to you. Only take what you need each day. Even in the absence of criminals, it is easy for things to fall out of your pocket or bag. You could even accidentally leave your belongings behind somewhere.
#6. Leverage Any and All Hotel Concierges
Hotels are great for establishing trustworthy services. You don’t even need to be staying at the same hotel to take advantage of a hotel concierge. Most hotels, regardless of whether you are a guest, can help you arrange tours, taxis, and guides, with pre-established and vetted vendors.
For instance, when I rented a home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for my family, I used a nearby hotel to book some of our activities. Knowing that my family was contracting with safe, reputable companies for our travel experiences gave me peace of mind.
I’ve also stepped into upscale hotels stateside to get recommendations for nice dinners. This way I know I’m not accidentally wandering into a “dodgy” (as us Brits say) part of town.
#7. Stay Connected
I always try to share a travel itinerary with my parents when we travel. At the very least, I give them a high-level overview of our travel plans. This way they have an idea of where we are going and when we are expected to return. I also try to call or email them at least once during our trip. This is especially true if my family is moving around a lot, doing a lot of hiking, or participating in adventurous activities that are off the beaten path (like a safari).
In the past, I have relied on hotel business centers or internet cafes to send a quick email update. However, in more recent years, I have had my cell phone carrier tweak my phone so that it can be temporarily used for international travel. Each time my family travels abroad I use Verizon’s TravelPass. It is great because it only charges me for the days that I use my data, and you just turn it off once you are back in the U.S.
Last, but not least, consider sharing your international travel plans with the U.S. State Department. With the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program you can receive important information about safety conditions at your destination, and it also helps the U.S. Embassy contact you in the event of an emergency.
Bottom line, knowing that there is someone out there who will notice if you don’t show up is reassuring – whether it is family, friends, or the government.
#8. Make Smart Accommodation Choices
Did you know that there are some simple accommodation choices that you can make that will help your family travel more safely? In an earlier blog post, I made some suggestions about things to consider when booking a hotel during COVID. However, beyond this, there are other ways that you can minimize travel risk at hotels and rentals. And I’m not talking about simply booking accommodation in a safe part of town, or locking up – per #5 above. Although both of these are important as well.
For instance, next time you are booking a hotel, ask for a room that is above the ground floor. This will help prevent street-level break-ins. Similarly, request a room that is below the sixth floor. This will make it easier to evacuate should there be a fire or other emergency. And try to avoid advertising your presence via the complimentary “do not disturb” signs left in your room.
#9. Be Prepared for Medical Issues
I always pack a “medical bag” whenever my family travels. This not only includes my sons’ nebulizer and emergency treatments for asthma, but also medicines that we use from time-to-time like Ibuprofen, Benadryl, and Neosporin. At the same time, I pack things that might be needed for our trip like Pepto-Bismol, bug bite ointment, after sun, and Band-Aids.
It can also be a good idea to plan for medical emergencies when traveling internationally, particularly if anyone in your family has a medical condition. For instance, knowing where the nearest English-speaking hospital is located can be invaluable.
Lastly, sites like kidshealth.org suggest carrying a written copy of your child’s medical history. This should include blood type, immunizations, doctor contact information, and a list of any ongoing health problems and allergies.
#10. Research, Plan, Repeat
By now, anyone who is actively reading my blog will know that I am a big planner when it comes to any kind of travel. This means that I research every aspect of a trip in advance of booking anything.
When it comes to traveling safely with my family, most risks are often restricted to certain cities, towns or regions. This makes them easy to avoid. However, it is always a good idea to check the U.S. State Department’s website for the latest travel warnings.
I also recommend planning at least some of your trip in advance. This way you know exactly where you are going and what you want to see – versus leaving it all to fate. You will also know, from your research, whether there are safety issues that need to be taken into consideration for these destinations. For instance, you may discover that it is recommended to use private car services, rather than public transportation. Or perhaps a reputable tour guide is the safest way to explore a particular area.
Happy Travels!
