Want a Safe Trip? Do These 5 Things Before Hitting the Road

Few things are more exciting than taking a long, relaxing vacation, even with the knowledge that all travel can be a bit risky. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, affordable ways to maximize the excitement of a trip and minimize hazards. In fact, those who take a few proactive steps before heading out the door tend to sleep better while away from home and enjoy their journeys, no matter where they go.

Being prepared entails keeping a home safe while away, eliminating the dangers of social media announcements, staying healthy, protecting vehicles from vandalism or theft, remembering to bring along important medicine, and protecting whatever valuables and cash you carry. Getaways are about focusing on fun and being able to put the stresses of everyday life aside, even if only for a week or two. Consider doing the following before trips.

Cleanse Social Media Accounts

Remove all references to travel dates and destinations on social media accounts, even those you use infrequently. Check privacy settings to make certain that personal profiles are not available for public view. Read through recent posts that might discuss upcoming plans. The point of these precautions is to avoid making your home an easy target for criminals. Likewise, look at lists of friends and adjust so random viewers can’t discover your real-time location while you’re away. 

Then, it will still be possible to share vacation experiences with select friends without revealing your whereabouts to potentially nefarious individuals. Avoid the urge to geotag posts while on the road. Doing so is a common mistake and gives strangers access to your location. After arriving back home, feel free to tell online friends and acquaintances about exciting experiences. Whether traveling or not, remember to regularly enable two factor authentication and passwords on social sites to prevent leakage of private data.

Deal with Dental Issues Well in Advance

For smooth sailing on a leisure filled getaway, deal with potential dental health issues at least a month before departure. For starters, make an appointment for a routine cleaning and checkup about six weeks before leaving to identify anything that needs attention. Doing so is a smart way to prevent a bothersome toothache, gum infection, or painful cavity from ruining an otherwise fun journey. Go online and find some dental practices you can visit while away in the event of an emergency. Keep in mind that each practice has its own unique approval process for third-party financing. Fortunately, there are providers who offer quick financing for new or traveling patients. That means you can get access to flexible payment plans without worrying about impacting credit scores.

The advantage of dental financing, whether at home or away, is getting timely treatment, avoiding the hassle of large up-front expenses, and using budget-friendly monthly payments to settle the balance. The main benefit is splitting big expenses into smaller, more manageable payments over time. That way, if you do have a dental emergency while away from home, you’ll know how to find a nearby clinic and quickly apply for financing. Even with new providers, the process is fast and easy. Remember to ask preferred practices for their unique application links or just search for them online before applying for a budget-friendly payment plan.

Garage All Vehicles & Hire a House Sitter

Park vehicles in a garage, either your own or a rented one. Hire a house sitter who can sleep over or make daily visits to check on the property. Consider asking a friend or neighbor for garage space if you don’t have any. Additionally, find someone you trust to reside in your living space or walk through it each day. Paid house sitting services are inexpensive but be sure to do research to find a reputable, local one. You can make a checklist for a hired sitter that includes daily chores, your emergency contact information, and any special instructions. Garages prevent theft and environmental damage to vehicles. 

Lock all doors and let a trusted neighbor know if your cars are garaged at home. Let at least one person, preferably a good friend or family member, know that you’ll be away and ask them to pick up mail and packages during your travels if you don’t have a sitter. Paid house sitters are worth the expense, as they remain on the property, can deal with emergencies, deter thieves, take care of plants and pets, and generally make the place look lived in. Being thorough and proactive regarding home and vehicle security is an excellent way to enhance the carefree feeling of any trip.

Avoid Carrying Cash or Valuables

It’s always a risk to carry cash or valuables, whether traveling or not. But to be as safe as possible while away from home, consider going cashless, using only debit or credit cards. It’s a fact of modern life that restaurants, hotels, and most retail shops prefer non-cash payment methods anyway. To transport a necessary amount of cash, use a money belt or security pocket, and never carry more than needed for the day. Leave the rest in the hotel safe.

Leave flashy jewelry, watches, and gadgets at home. There’s no sense advertising the fact that you have anything of value on your person. Minimize theft losses by not carrying necessary items, like phones, laptops, and wallets, in the same place. Traveler insurance policies that protect against theft losses are inexpensive and easy to add on to current homeowner policies. Use an app or hard copy log sheet to track expenses while away; it’s easy to get carried away and overspend while having fun.

Bring Backup Prescription Medications

Consult with a healthcare provider about getting medication refills while away from home. Also, make sure to take enough meds for the duration of the trip and a few extra days just in case. Keep all pills and prescribed liquids in their original containers inside an accessible carry on. Call ahead to a few pharmacies in your destination to see whether they can provide refills should you run out of medication or lose the ones you brought along. For international trips, get a written document from a doctor that states you are legally allowed to possess and use the specific prescription drugs. Doing so is an easy way to get through customs without a hassle.