Many people love to travel. They might do it when they retire, or they may save up some money and take their families on occasional vacations to places they haven't been before. That is a way to broaden their horizons and make them appreciate everything the country and the world have to offer.
Of course, there are always some potential travel dangers as well. Some destinations carry particular risks, and you should read up on a new city, state, or country if you're going to visit it.
Let's examine six possible travel dangers of which you should be aware.
Animal Attacks
You might go to a city, state, or country where there are some wild animals. For instance, if you visit a desert climate, you should watch out for:
Scorpions
Coyotes
Snakes
You're probably fine if you stay in the hotel, but when you go out into nature and start exploring, you might encounter predators or animals with dangerous defense mechanisms.
Even if you stay in the city, there are roving dog packs in some metropolises. Canine mouths have bacteria in them, and if one bites you, you risk a possible infection unless you clean it out immediately. About 81% of dog bites leave no injury, but you should still be careful around a feral canine.
High-Crime Areas
You might also visit a new place, and you may not know where the high crime areas are. Sometimes, you might wander into an area where:
Someone might pull a gun or a knife on you
An individual might pick your pocket
Sometimes, you may enter a higher-crime area without even realizing it. It happens in large cities like New York all the time.
You might take the subway if you're not familiar with it, and you get off at the wrong stop. If you had taken the train three more stops, you would have come out in a safe neighborhood. Instead, you got off in an area where there are lots of drug dealers and gang activity.
The way to avoid this is to research where you're going before you get there, and don't make a public transportation mistake. If it happens, get back on the bus or train quickly, and don't go wandering around asking for directions. There is no more obvious way to show everyone you are a tourist.
Dangerous Food or Drinks
In some regions, you want to watch out for the water you drink as well. In some places, tap water can make you very sick. Dysentery is not something with which you want to deal.
You can purchase bottled water and drink that, or you might drink fruit juices or other options. If you're not sure about the local water quality, talk to the hotel staff, and do some online research as well.
Some of the native dishes could make you ill. You might want to avoid shady-looking food carts with questionable fare. If you get any type of food that looks undercooked or you can't identify it, it's probably best to go to a more reputable establishment.
Seafood is sometimes an iffy prospect, particularly shellfish. You can also make yourself ill by eating some uncured meats.
Scam Artists
You might also encounter different criminals. They will not pull a weapon on you, but they'll try to swindle you in other ways.
They might approach you with a sob story to see if they can get some money from you. They could be drug addicts or alcoholics trying to get their fix.
They might tell you they can take you to famous landmarks or beautiful places you can't locate without their help. They prey on adventurous tourists this way.
They might take your money and then abandon you in the middle of nowhere. You can avoid this by refusing and keeping a close eye on your purse or wallet. Better yet, keep your valuables in a money belt or somewhere equally inconspicuous.
Covid-19
At the moment, Covid-19 is still a danger, which is why some people are not traveling at all these days. Vaccines are on the way, but for now, you might want to forego your travel plans unless you feel like you have no other choice.
If you must travel, and you are going by plane, keep your mask on the whole time. On an airline, you cannot socially distance, but you can at least apply hand sanitizer frequently. You can carry a bottle with you if the airline allows you to.
When you get to your destination, avoid large gatherings. Wear your mask when you're out in public and don't shake anyone's hand or otherwise make physical contact with them.
Vehicle Accidents
When you travel, you may have to watch out for vehicle accidents as well. Perhaps you want to rent a car, but you're not used to a different country's driving rules. Maybe you have to drive on the other side of the road, which can confuse you if you have never done it before.
It's usually best to avoid renting a vehicle unless you have no alternative. You might consider yourself a good driver, but the local traffic laws and unfamiliar territory can be a dangerous combination.
You can look for taxis or take public transportation instead. If you're in a vehicle that gets in an accident, get ready to deal with the local authorities. If you do not really speak the language, you should have a translation smartphone app handy.
Most people should experience travel at some point in their lives. If you stay in the exact same place and never visit other countries, or at least other states, you won't grow as a person.
There is a difference between being adventurous and reckless, though. Keep your wits about you when you travel and take all the proper precautions. It's also best if you travel with another person or as a group, so you can support each other if anything goes wrong.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
