Showing posts with label safety. Show all posts

Why Families Use GPS People Finder for Safety and Peace of Mind

Have you ever been in a crowded place and panicked because you had lost someone? You look around, it could be a theme park, a festival, an airport, a zoo or a busy shopping centre. Well, there's a device for that, and it's surprisingly affordable too.

It only takes a child a few seconds to wander off or for an elderly relative to become confused in an unfamiliar environment, and you may think you've lost them.

Parents often face situations where:

A child runs ahead into a crowd
Brothers and sisters become separated
Mobile phone batteries die
Or you have a young child who doesn't yet own a phone

Alternatively, you may live with someone with short-term memory loss. This can happen due to brain injury, conditions like strokes or illnesses such as dementia.

In those moments, having a reliable way to locate loved ones can make a huge difference.

That’s where devices like the PAJ GPS People Finder 4G are becoming increasingly popular. 


Paj GPS Tracker

The PAJ GPS People Finder 4G is a small, lightweight and compact device that's also waterproof. It's perfect for popping into a pocket or a bag and can enable you to have a real-time location of the person who is using it, through an app.

It's straightforward to set up online, and then you are good to go. You can also set up a Geo-Fence alert, so the device will alert you if the wearer goes outside of a certain range. It can also alert you if the device is shaken or moved. In this situation, it can give you instant notifications so you can act quickly in an incident or even an emergency.


Live tracking


Being compatible with the 4G network means it's recognisable in over 40 different countries and most of Europe too. 

It also has a vast range, unlike Bluetooth tags, which typically only have a range of 10-100 metres. Bluetooth tags often show the last location, not real-time tracking, like the PAJ GPS People Finder. 

Safe area

You do have to pay for the device, which retails at £29.95 and the cost of a monthly subscription. The subscription starts at £4.50 per month for two years. However, I feel that's a nominal price for the considerable peace of mind this will give you.

You will never have to worry about losing your child, your friend or your relative if they have this device set up. In certain situations, it can also give them freedom to explore more, without you losing them, and thats a great idea, isn't it?

Let me know, have you ever been in a situation where the GPS People Finder would have helped you? Do you think it's a good idea?

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The Dangers Of Teen's Dating Apps And How To Protect Them With Monitoring Apps

The digital age has changed the realm of dating. Online dating sites used to be focused on engaging an older audience, usually 18 and over. Now there are multiple apps available for teens to arrange meetups with others online.

According to research from the Pew Research Centre, a quarter of teens surveyed had dated someone they met online. Moreover, 50% of teens reportedly showed they liked someone by sending a friend request over Facebook or another social site, and then liked and commented on their content.

While it's fun and exciting for teens to connect online via apps and hook up in person, some risks need to be covered and talked about with the teens living in your care. Moreover, parental monitoring apps can also help to keep your teens safe while dating online.

Grooming

teen

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) recorded in 2019 that 200,000 secondary school students may have been groomed online.

It's a fact that not everyone on teen dating apps is in the right age bracket, or frame of mind, to be on the app talking to other teens. And, predators can pose as a younger person online, to lure in teens to meet them in real-life.

By using a parental monitoring app, you'll have full access to your son or daughters online activity 24/7, from text messages to WhatsApp pictures. You'll be able to see if someone is grooming your child, and if so, you can alert the police.

Sexting

Teens on dating apps have the intention of meeting someone romantically. With the digital sphere being the centre of most teens' interactions with one another, it's common for teenage girls and boys to ask for, and send selecting images to one another. For instance, according to a recent study, 40% of teenagers have sent messages of a sexual nature.

The risks of sexting are plenty. Sexting makes the sender vulnerable and opens them up to serious consequences. For instance, the receiver might share the image online with their friends without the sender's consent.

With a parental monitoring app, you can monitor your teen's conversations and content. And take action if they have been prompted to send across a private image.

Validation

Teens may try to seek approval by using online dating websites, to feel attractive and confident. This can lead teens to become impressionable and do things asked by other online daters, to gain approval.

As with sexting, a parental monitoring app will help you prevent your son or daughter from responding to online advances, such as sharing the content of a sexual nature.

Harassment 

teenager

As mentioned above, not everyone on teen dating apps is there with good intentions. Some teenagers experience harassment on dating websites in the form of unwelcome, rude messages, and sexually explicit pictures.

Monitoring apps allow you to see whether your teen could be sharing too much personal info online. With this knowledge in mind, you can educate your teen on how harassment can extend beyond online interaction. For instance, if a teen has innocently disclosed their address. Or their social media page, for instance, reveals their most recent location. It could cause an online harasser to appear in-person.

Alongside alerting youngsters about the dangers of online dating apps for teens. As an additional layer of protection for your loved ones, using a parental monitoring app from Family Orbit allows you to observe your child's activity online. In turn, preventing and protecting your children from being targeted by groomers or harassment.

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Advantages Of Using A Virtual Private Network (VPN)

If you use the internet on the go, you may have heard of a VPN and the benefits of using one but you may not know what it is, so, what is a VPN and, should you get one?


A VPN is a Virtual Private Network and is a useful solution to providing you with secure internet from anywhere in the world. It is especially useful for keeping your information safe and secure.  In this article, I will go into more detail on the main advantages of using a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

Security

A VPN allows you to create a secure network due to the encryption it uses. This means that bank details will be safe and your information and passwords will be secure. This is especially important if you have to use your computer whilst travelling, perhaps accessing your Paypal or bank accounts on the go. All data is encrypted from prying eyes, and a VPN helps keep your bank details out of the hand of criminals. It also keeps sensitive and personal information safe.

Anonymity

With a VPN you can browse the web anonymously. Now even if you are not doing anything scandalous, this has distinct advantages. Firstly, because you are anonymous then your information will be secure. 

Secondly, you can browse the internet in private. Normally your web browser tracks your cookies so that nothing is completely secret, tracking what sites you go to. This can then affect adverts you are shown as well as potentially pushing up prices of hotels and holidays when booking them, based on past browsing experiences. A VPN keeps your browsing history anonymous and secure and doesn't allow browsers to track you. So it's easier to grab a holiday bargain for one!

Streaming

Some online streaming channels are location specific. A VPN can allow you to watch your favourite local channels abroad. For example, did you know that the BBC Iplayer is not available outside of the UK?  A VPN can mask your location and make your location-specific to the country you want. That means in practice you can set your computer's location to be from the UK, even if you are in another country and then BBC Iplayer will work. This is great if you want to catch up with a TV programme or event or if you are an Ex-Pat and you want to watch the channel you loved in the UK

Netflix is also different in various countries, so a VPN will allow you to access content in a different location, perhaps if you are on holiday, giving you more choice of programmes.

Business use

A VPN is great for sharing data with a group securely, as well as keeping sensitive information secure. This is particularly great for businesses. Data breaches can lead to fines and compensation claims so using a VPN makes good business sense. 

VPNs also give businesses the security to share their resources with employees and partners that are not based in the office at all times, allowing for flexibility of staff and remote working.

It's also cheaper to set up a VPN tha
n a physical private network so this can save a business money, and what business doesn't want to save money?!

So as you can see there are a number of advantages of getting a Virtual Private Network or VPN. If you want the reassurance of a secure network, can you really afford not to get one in this day and age?

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20 Ways to Stay Safe Whilst On Vacation

We go on vacation for various reasons, - to experience a new place, a new country, a new culture, to unwind, to relax, to learn something new and so much more. However, safety is not always high on our priority list when we travel, so keen we are to get out and explore. 



We may be conscious of our safety in our familiar hometown but when we are in unfamiliar situations we often let our guard down and this means we can put ourselves at risk. So this is my 20 ways to stay safe when on vacation. 


1. Always tell people where you are going and when you are coming back. A simple safety tip that is often overlooked. If anything happens, God forbid, they can alert the authorities. 

2. Be alert to your environment, especially in busy areas, tourist hotspots and areas of high crime. Major tourist attractions are often populated with pickpockets. I was almost scammed in front of the Louvre art gallery in Paris by a couple who said I had dropped a gold ring. Be careful!

3. Ensure you have the address of the accommodation you are staying at written down, in English and the native language. This is especially useful where you are staying in areas where English isn't the first language, so you can show people when asking for directions or taxi drivers.

4. Don't take expensive jewellery, and be wary of wearing expensive branded clothing, as this can make obvious your wealth. You don't want to be an easy target for robbers.

5. Be wary of posting publically on social media when you are away, especially if there is no one in your home. You can always post when you come back if you want to share your photos.




6. Only use a secure internet connection and if you have to use a public computer, never use it for Internet banking. Try not to log into accounts but if you have to always log out after. You don't want scammers or opportunists accessing your email account! If you have to buy tours or theatre tickets, for example, ensure the site has HTTPS at the beginning, not HTTP as this shows it is secure. 

7. Don't carry too much cash around, and if you have a handbag wear it across your body to keep it close to you and help avoid your bag being snatched.  Consider a money belt in areas of high crime, and if you have your purse or wallet in your pocket, put it in your front jeans pocket that is tight, or an internal zipped compartment. 

8. Your guard is often let down when you drink so be extremly cautious if someone you don't know tries to buy you a drink, watch your drink to ensure it is not spiked and never leave your drink unattended. If you are drinking from a bottle, put your thumb over the top and place your hand over your glass of wine or cocktail. 

9. Look up the area you are going before you get there. I always plan the route of Google maps but also check you are not travelling through a no-go area by asking at your hotel or checking on the Internet. Using an old-fashioned map or guidebook when out and about can alert people that you are a tourist, so be careful if doing this, especially in shady areas.

10. If you are not sure if the water is safe then drink bottled water and avoid foods washed in the local water like salads. Avoid buffets where food has been sitting around and possibly contaminated by others and always eat where food is freshly cooked and establishments that pay attention to food hygiene.




11. Having sunburn and sunstroke is not fun! Take sun precautions like wearing a hat, wearing sunglasses and covering up at the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am and 2pm.  Apply sun cream on a regular basis and always reapply after swimming even if it says its waterproof as towel drying will remove the protection.  Make sure you drink plenty especially in the heat.

12. Vaccinations are vitally important to keep you safe when visiting certain areas of the world, so check out the NHS website for vaccination requirements or your local health provider. Some vaccinations you may get free whilst others you may have to pay for but are considered essential in certain areas. If you are going to areas of risk you can order anti-malarial tablets online from a company such as Click Pharmacy if you can't get to your local pharmacy too, so don't forget that.

13. Put together a comprehensive first aid kit for travelling abroad, and tailor it to each trip. It should include items like painkillers, antiseptic, plasters, antihistamines, insect repellant, anti-diarrheal medication and more. Check out this article by the NHS on what you should pack in a travel first aid kit

14. Be careful when using taxis, and never get into unmarked cars. If using Uber or Lyft ensure you double check the description of the car and the name of the driver. You could always ask your hotel to call a taxi for you, or if you can't hail a cab go to a nearby hotel so they can do it for you. 

15. Ensure you buy travel insurance and get the best you can afford. Travel insurance is so essential and doesn't have to be costly. If you travel a lot, an annual insurance will be worth the cost. Check out this article by Money Saving Expert on how to by travel insurance.

16. Dress appropriately for the environment and culture. If you are a woman, unfortunately how you dress can make you a target for unwanted attention, so it makes sense to dress conservatively. 




17. Consider carrying a rape alarm, which is especially important if you are a solo traveller and walk with confidence, which can help you be less of a target. If you look like you can handle yourself, you will be less likely to be picked on. If you are walking alone, follow a couple if possible. If you think you are being followed go to a hotel or busy area and seek help. 

18. Take photos of all your documents including your passport and driving licence and put them in a secure place such as an encrypted Dropbox environment you can access online. 

19. Always lock your windows and doors, buy a TSA approved lock for your case and buy a lock for your backpack. If your hotel has a safe use that and hide items away when you leave the room.

20. Lastly, if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, so get out of there, fast.

At the end of the day, millions of us travel every year without any incident, so keep your wits about you and I hope you have a safe trip!

Tell me, do you use any of these tips? Do you have any ways you stay safe whilst on vacation? 

*Collaborative post

How To Keep Yourself Safe When Travelling To A Destination For The First TIme

Heading to a destination for the first time can be so exciting, but many people forget that some caution when visiting a new destination is important to avoid certain dangers. Being more cautious before heading out on your travels will help you avoid many problems that might otherwise throw your travels plans off track. 

There are some specific things you can do to ensure you are safe, and before you visit is a good time to 
start learning about the destination and preparing properly. When you get to a place for the first time, you don’t want to feel like you’ve been thrown in at the deep end.

Research the location



You need to have a clear understanding of where you’re going and what you’re going to be presented with when you get there. Going in blind is never a good idea because you might only find out about the dangers and risks when it’s already too late for you to avoid them or do anything about them. The internet makes it possible to research just about any location, so check out the area on YouTube, via blog posts, and on the tourist boards own website.  If you are going abroad, it's always worth checking out the foreign travel advice from your government too for that specific destination. Also, don't forget travel insurance as it is so important to protect you and your valuables and doesn't have to be expensive!

Consider the main dangers



When you’ve found out what the main dangers are,  you should consider them carefully and decide how you’re going to avoid them properly. This can be done by planning to only visit certain areas or taking specific precautions. 
 For example, there are certain cities where pickpocketing is rife, so take sensible precautions like ensuring your wallet isn't in your back pocket,  your handbag is worn across your body and you only take out the minimal amount of money in those areas.  Heading to a forum, checking out blog posts for advice or talking to a friend who’s already been there can be a wise thing to do too.  You may want to check out this site for some hidden wallets which would keep your money safe from pickpockets.
Get vaccinated

You should find out if the place you’re heading to requires you to get vaccinated before you leave. It’s never wise to skip these because they keep you safe, and failure to get these could make you seriously ill, and potentially could cost you your life. Malaria, for example, exists in more than 100 countries across the world so tablets for malaria prevention are important if you are visiting a country at risk.

Ensure someone always knows where you are

If you’re planning on travelling alone, you need to make sure that someone always knows where you are when you’re abroad. This can be done by letting a friend or family member track the location of your phone via an app or by letting people know where you’re going and checking in via a text or social media. If you choose the latter, this is something that should be done privately not on an open social platform where anyone can see that information and use it.

Lock up your valuables

Ideally, you should choose a hotel room or rental that is secure and has a safe so you can keep the things that are most valuable and important to you. If the worst does happen and you get burgled, at least you will know that the safe will keep your extra money, passport and travel documents secure. Those are the things that you definitely don’t want to lose when you’re in an unfamiliar country.

Leave your home safe and sound


Before you even leave for your trip to another country, you should make sure that you leave your home in the right kind of state. It should be securely locked with no windows left open at all. You should also make sure that you have someone checking in and pushing your mail all the way through because a door with junk mail and newspapers hanging out of the letterbox is a sure sign to burglars that nobody’s home. Or you could pay to redirect your mail especially if you are away for a month or more.

Monitor your accounts

Finally, you need to keep an eye on your accounts when you’re travelling in another country. It’s increasingly common for details to be stolen, and that’s something that can happen even if your bank card is still in your wallet. So keep an eye on your accounts and ensure there are not payments you don’t recognise making. If you check your bank accounts online always check you are using a secure internet service and log off properly.

Caution might not be fun or interesting, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to ignore it when you’re about to head to a location for the first time. There are all too many people who put themselves at risk and in danger just because they don’t prepare for their upcoming travels.

How To Keep You And Your Devices Safe When Travelling

We are a family that loves to travel. In the last year, I personally have taken 23 flights, that's a lot of flights for someone who really doesn't like flying! I know, silly isn't it? Yet it doesn't stop me travelling the world, whether I am travelling with my husband or with my son as well who is in university. We have had some great adventures recently including a trip to Iceland, where we hiked a glacier and a press trip with a group of bloggers to the Castellon area of Spain.  

Now to keep up-to-date with emails and social media on the go, I rely on my devices, mainly my iPhone and my MacBook Air, as I am an Apple girl through and through. It's also important to me to keep busy on the plane, and here is where my iPhone is invaluable, I download relaxing music or films when I have no access to them on the journey. This keeps my mind occupied and helps relax me. 

My son Jake, who is 20, loves his iPod. He uses it to keep in touch with mates on Facebook and Twitter, to watch YouTube and Netflix. I must admit he's a worse addict than me!


Mr W is a blogger and vlogger too, and although he's not as social as me (think grunt once for yes), he does like his iPhone apps, namely Instagram and Facebook. 

Although I am not especially proud of this, you can see we are device addicts, so there are some things we have had to consider in the last few years to keep us healthy and our devices safe when travelling the world.

Limit your time



Talk to the whole family before the holiday and set expectations and limitations on device and internet use. Rather than spend all your time on your devices and online, try to limit this. Turn off your mobile data unless absolutely necessary and any alerts on emails and encourage the rest of the family to do the same. Think, do you really have to document everything on social media as you go? Why not just take some time and enjoy the beautiful beaches, amazing cities and fantastic attractions without living it through a lens.

Perhaps allow a time period every day, to catch up with friends or emails, then make an effort and get off. If the kids (or adults) are finding this especially difficult, consider a small reward as an incentive. Or swap it around. If the kids are well behaved in a restaurant then allow time on their devices when they get back to the hotel or apartment.  

If your trip includes a lot of driving, ensure you plan rest stops along the way where you do something active. When you get to a town take time to explore, perhaps find a park and let the kids let off steam running around before lunch. Exercise boosts mood and self-esteem so they will feel better for it and will hopefully be relaxed on their return to the car. Limiting your time online can also help social skills 'in real life' and don't forget you are on holiday so enjoy the different surroundings and activities you don't get every day.

Device Safety



Be aware of open networks when you travel. Many Internet networks aren't secure, which could let your personal details including passwords, and card details get into the wrong hands. One simple thing to do is to check for the padlock symbol on your browser and ensure you log out properly on shared computers.   But is this enough? 

Travel and Leisure magazine offers some excellent advice, such as updating all your software before you go especially your operating system and treating all networks as hostile. They recommend HTTPS Everywhere which is an extension to your browser to encrypt your details. 

Another thing to consider is to use a product like Kaspersky Security Cloud. This product is especially clever as it is an adaptive digital security service which can give online protection to the whole family. 

It's a fast cloud-based security service that won't slow down your devices yet helps defend them from Internet nasties such as Trojans, worms, and phishing across Macbooks, Android and Windows Device.  It can also alert parents to your kids' Internet usage, handy to avoid potentially inappropriate sites.  

Insurance



So first thing's first, only take your devices you will definitely need with you. Can you cope with your tablet and not your laptop for example? If you take fewer devices than a theft will have fewer opportunities to steal from you. 

Going on holiday is a great time to sort out your devices. Take anything off your device you will not need and consider deleting your cookies and also passwords if you can remember them. Empty your trash bin on your laptop as you will be surprised about the amount of potentially sensitive information that can be there. Backup any important files you need on a security drive or the I-Cloud.

Ensure you take out travel insurance, and also check your policy, to see what your insurance covers. This is so important as you want to check your insurance will cover the devices and also what the excess is if you do have a theft. I always keep a copy of our families insurance document with us for easy access on holiday. 

So these are some considerations to keep your devices safe whilst travelling the world. Do you use any of these tips? Tell me what do you and your family do to keep your devices safe on holiday

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10 Top Tips To Stay Safe On Holiday

As someone who travels a lot, I know how important preparation is and planning is to ensure your safety on holiday. You have to make sure that you have travel insurance, that you research your destination, make a list and check it twice, just like Santa does!



Leading Injury Lawyers, Michael Jefferies Solicitors have conducted a survey to find out just how safety aware us Brits are when we leave the country and the results are in!

Survey Stats:
  • 38% of people are more care-free about their safety when on holiday
  • Over 40% of people have travelled abroad without holiday insurance in the past
  • 20% of people have suffered an incident (accident, sickness or illness) whilst on holiday
  • Over 50% of people wouldn’t know how to make a claim following an incident on holiday that wasn’t their fault
  • 80% of people surveyed haven’t bothered to make a claim following an incident on holiday


Scary isn't it?

With this is mind here are my ten top tips to stay safe on holiday.

Pre-holiday


1. Make a travel checklist. This is essential if you don't want to forget anything. Ensure it covers any visas/injections or essential medication you need for foreign countries. Research your destination, including crime levels and areas to avoid.

2. Buy travel insurance with the correct cover. This is so important in this day and age. If you are travelling to the USA, the medical cover will need to be higher than in Europe, so make sure your cover matches your location and your activities. If you are skiing, doing water sports or extreme sports check you are covered. Annual travel insurance is the best idea if you travel a lot.

3. Pack a first aid kit. You can buy one with everything you need in it from most pharmacies but if you want to make one yourself check out this post by the NHS on what to have in a simple first aid kit.

4. Make your house looked lived in. Put your lights on a timer, or get a neighbour to check on the property. Get your post redirected or ensure someone picks it up if you can. A lived in home is less likely to be burgled. 

5. Don't state exact date of your departure on social media!

On holiday



6. Don't advertise your whereabouts on social media! I know a lot of us do it, but it's worth uploading to Instagram, Facebook and other social sites AFTER the holiday not during.

7. Keep your money and valuables in a hotel safe and only keep what you need on you for that day when you are out and about. In fact, don't take your valuables on holiday if you can help it. Your insurance may only cover individual items up to a certain amount so check the details and keep the expensive jewellery at home.

8. Be wary of unsafe locations and pickpockets, ask the concierge or hotel staff if you are not sure, or Google it.

9. If unsure about the water use bottled water and only eat food that is freshly cooked. Salads should be avoided in these circumstances as salad leaves could be washed in tap water.

10. Make sure you have your travel insurance details at hand if you have to claim. It's important to know if something happens, what circumstances you can claim for, and the process of actually making a claim. If you are robbed you usually have to report this to the police as soon as possible. 



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Have you had a robbery or a hazard on holiday that wasn’t your fault? Or maybe you’ve got your travel preparation down to a fine art? Follow the campaign on social with Jefferies Solicitors and the hashtag #HolidayHazards.  

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10 Travel Safety Tips For Women

Travelling to different places around the World is so exciting. At the same time, most women worry about safety, even seasoned travellers. Yet it is absolutely safe for a woman to travel wherever she wants if she makes sure to adhere to a few safety tips. 

Here are 10 travel safety tips to ensure that women make the best out of every adventure, and I hope this is especially useful if you are on a solo trip.






Image copyright Antonio Guillem Shutterstock


1. Keep your valuables on you
Do not take anything that is too valuable or expensive and you cannot afford to lose. Leave the expensive jewellery and family momentos at home. As for the other things like your phone, laptop, and camera, take a day bag that you can carry on you at all times and never leave it out of your sight, or place in a secure safe in your hotel.

2. Take only what you need
When you are out exploring, take only the essentials with you. You do not have to carry stuff like your credit cards, all your cash, and your passport with you at all times. You can leave them locked up safe, and just carry an essential amount of cash. Just take what you need that day.

3. Control drinking
Make sure you do not drink too much. It is essential to drink sensibly and to never accept drinks from strangers.

4. Spend money to stay safe
Make sure you stay in a reputable place that is safe, even if it is costly. Remember, safety is of utmost importance. I would chose a hotel over a motel anyway as most motel rooms can be accessed from outside the building whilst most hotel rooms can only be accessed from inside the building and through a secure reception area.

5. Get travel insurance
Travel insurance is necessary to help you out even in the worst situations. Make sure you get comprehensive travel insurance to cover all eventualities such as losing buggage, accidents, natural disasters, and robbery, to give you peace of mind.

6. Check in regularly
Keep in touch with at least one family member regularly. Give a copy of your itinerary so that they know where to reach you and keep up-to-date with them on Skype, Facetime or by phone/email.

7. Keep a copy of your documents online and some secret cash
Even if the worst happens, make sure you have a copy of your documents online, and some secret cash stashed away in your luggage to help you out. Consider taking an amount of travellers cheques that can be replaced when lost or stolen or a prepaid card.

8. Blend in
Try not to look like a tourist especially in areas off the beaten track. Try to blend in to the place you are in and act as a local so others do not take advantage of you.

9. Don’t trust easily
Keep your watch and do not trust anyone too quickly. Stay on your guard and keep your wits about you. If someone knocks on your room unannounced ring reception to check who they are. Beware local scammers, on the streets that use distraction techniques. In Paris a group tried to persuade me that I lost a gold ring. I knew it wasn't mine. I then saw them try it on with someone else.

10. Make use of thorough research
Read up on your destination before you get there. This will help you get around, and blend in. Be sure to read about any unsafe areas and orientate yourself on a map so you don't go there by mistake.

I hope these travel tips have helped you stay safe with your travels. Have a great journey. Bon Voyage!