Spring Travel Safety Tips

Spring travel is a highly anticipated time for students, families and travel enthusiasts alike. While it's a time for relaxation and adventure, it's crucial to prioritize safety and prevent theft during your travels. Nothing can ruin your trip faster than falling victim to a crime or putting yourself in dangerous situations. Keep reading for some spring break travel safety tips to keep in mind.

Plan Ahead

The first step to having a safe spring vacation is to research your travel destination with safety in mind. According to a recent Forbes article, Iceland is one of the safest places to travel while South Sudan is the riskiest. This list is based on factors such as crime rates, political stability and low levels of violence against foreigners. Also, choose hotels or other lodging options with reputable security measures and positive reviews from previous guests. Planning ahead can also involve deciding if you want to invest in traveler's insurance to cover financial losses associated with traveling like canceled flights or lost luggage.

Once you choose your destination, create a travel itinerary and share it with a loved one who is not traveling with you. This will ensure someone knows your whereabouts in the event of an emergency. Lastly, be sure to create a checklist of essential safety items to pack, such as a first-aid kit and portable chargers.

Essential Safety Items for Travelers

When it comes to travel safety products, there are a few things that every traveler should consider bringing along for added security and peace of mind.

TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

TSA-approved luggage locks are locks that are recognized and preferred by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These locks feature a universal “master” key that allows TSA agents to open and relock your luggage without having to cut open the lock. This not only ensures the security of your belongings but also saves you from the inconvenience of having your lock permanently damaged during a routine security inspection.

Personal Alarms and Safety Whistles

If you’re traveling alone, carry a personal alarm or safety whistle for protection and peace of mind when walking alone at night or in unfamiliar areas during spring break travel season. These compact and easy-to-use devices can attract attention and deter attackers in case of an emergency.

Bike Locks

If you are traveling somewhere with your bike, it's important to bring a sturdy bike lock to prevent theft. Investing in a high-quality bike lock will help to ensure the safety and security of your bike while exploring your destination.

Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff

Leaks back home are the last thing you want to worry about while you’re on vacation. While it’s not a product that you need to bring with you, the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff provides peace of mind that your house is protected from leaks even if you’re hundreds of miles away. The Flo Shutoff device is installed on your main water supply line to proactively provide leak detection for your whole home. It will run daily microleak tests to monitor for leaks while you’re out of town, and you can view live updates on the Moen Smart Water App to ensure everything is running efficiently. And if you prefer to unplug completely while you’re traveling, your device will send a real-time alert if a leak is detected and automatically close your water valve to stop leaks in their tracks.

Hotel Safety Tips

When it comes to hotel safety, there are additional items you can bring on your trip to ensure your security and protect your belongings.

Door Bars

Whether you’re traveling alone or with others, a door bar is a simple way to add an additional layer of security to your hotel room. Door bars are positioned under door handles to prevent forced entry even if the door is unlocked. The foldable Master Lock door bar is the only adjustable door bar on the market designed to offer both robust strength and compact storage and portability — making it convenient to take with you on your spring break travels.

Portable Personal Safes

Another hotel safety tip is to bring along a portable personal safe in case your hotel doesn’t provide in-room safes, or you want an extra layer of protection for your valuables. Master Lock personal safes are lightweight and compact, allowing you to securely store your passports, jewelry, cash, phone and other important belongings while you're out enjoying your spring break activities. These safes also feature a cable that you can attach to a fixed object in your hotel room to prevent theft.

Stay Informed and Connected

Besides preventing theft, it's also important to be mindful of your surroundings and stay informed about the local area and any potential safety risks. Pay attention to local news and travel advisories for your destination and stay connected with friends and family members during your trip. There are also apps available that can provide emergency assistance, such as the Noonlight app, which allows you to silently alert authorities to your exact location in case of an emergency, even if you can't talk or respond. ¹

When it comes to spring break travel, prioritizing your safety is essential. This includes taking precautions to protect your belongings and staying informed about potential safety risks in unfamiliar areas. No matter where you're traveling, you can use these tips to enjoy a safe and secure spring getaway.

Sources:

1.  8 Smartphone Safety Apps That Could Save Your Life (aarp.org)