Safety While Traveling Abroad
Millions of Americans travel abroad each year. Safety should be a top concern for
anyone traveling outside the U.S. There are some things you can do to improve your
safety while abroad.
Motor vehicle safety while traveling
Injuries from motor vehicle crashes pose the greatest risk of injury to international
travelers, says the CDC. The risk of death from motor vehicle crashes is many times
higher in other countries than in the U.S. Poor roadway design and unskilled drivers
are among the reasons for this. Another reason is not being familiar with the roads,
conditions, and vehicles, along with distracted driving while touring.
Important safety steps you can take include the following:
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Ask for a car with seat belts and use them.
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Check cars and trucks to make sure that tires, windshield wipers, brakes, and headlights
are in good condition.
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Ask for a car with air bags, where available.
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Don't drive at night if possible. Don't drink alcohol when driving. And don't ride
with anyone else who has been drinking.
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Sit in the back seat when you can. This cuts the risk of death in an accident.
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Bring a car safety seat when traveling with young children.
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Use a safety helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle.
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If you're the driver, keep your eyes on the road. Don't get distracted by the sights
around you.
Animal or insect hazards
In areas where rabies is present, don't pet domestic dogs, cats, or other animals.
Stay away from wild animals, especially monkeys, rodents, and bats.
Bites and stings from insects can cause unpleasant reactions. Get medical attention
right away for any bite or sting that causes redness, swelling, bruising, or persistent
pain. Take extra care when camping or staying in rustic or remote areas. Use insect
repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito netting.
Poisonous snakes are another hazard in certain parts of the world, although deaths
from snake bites are rare. Never attempt to handle, harass, or kill a snake because
bites often happen as a snake's defensive reaction.
Swimming hazards
To prevent infectious disease, only swim in pools with chlorinated water. Swimming
in contaminated water can cause skin, eye, ear, and certain intestinal infections.
In certain areas, a fatal form of encephalitis has happened after swimming in warm,
dirty water. Other infectious diseases can develop from swimming in freshwater streams,
canals, and lakes. To prevent drowning accidents, don't swim alone or in unfamiliar
waters. And ask if stingrays or stinging jellyfish may be in the area before going
in the ocean. Stay away from them as much as possible.
Violence-related hazards
Travel in areas where there is poverty or civil unrest may put you at risk for violence.
So may using alcohol or drugs, and traveling in unfamiliar places at night. The CDC
advises travelers not to travel alone. Also, vary your routine, limit travel at night,
and don't wear expensive clothing or jewelry. If you are the victim of a crime, contact
the nearest U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or consular agency for help. The U.S. Department
of State website provides international travel alerts and warnings by country. The Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service provided by the U.S. government to its
citizens and nationals who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Enrollment
lets the Department of State better help travelers in an emergency while abroad.
To learn more
For more information on safety at your travel destination, visit the U.S. Department of State travel section.