Mark Cohen, BCG Securities, on Staying Safe While Traveling

Safety always needs to come first, especially for people who are traveling on their own. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to manage the risks if you’re aware of your surroundings and understand the possible dangers. If you learn to maintain good habits to avoid problems while traveling on your own, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the experience and create fantastic memories.

Stay in contact with friends

People who are traveling on their own are at risk because they don’t have anyone to help them in an emergency. It is possible to manage that risk by staying in contact with a couple of friends during the trip. There are several ways to do this, but almost anything will work as long as everybody agrees on it in advance.

If they hear about a problem, they can try to contact local emergency services or other groups that can offer practical support. They can also report the traveler as missing if they lose contact for an extended period. This system won’t solve every problem, but it will help to control the damage in an emergency.

Conceal your valuables

People rarely attack or rob travelers out of pure malice. They target lone travelers because those travelers are more likely to carry money than the average person. Travelers can reduce the temptation to rob them by hiding their valuables. Cash, expensive electronics, and similar items should stay out of sight whenever possible. It is also better for travelers to carry items on their bodies rather than in a bag, since that makes it harder to steal. There is an art to carrying valuables, and it is a good idea to master it in order to reduce the odds of theft.

Prioritize food safety

People are rarely the biggest threat to travelers. Food and water are more likely to cause problems because they can contain dangerous pathogens. It is generally best for travelers to stick to water that they have boiled or treated themselves, or to use bottled water. It is also wise to avoid raw fruits and vegetables, soft cheeses, and any food that is either uncooked or has been allowed to sit out for a few hours. It is also fairly safe to go to restaurants and other establishments that often cater to tourists, but it is a good idea to check online reviews (if possible) before doing so.

About the Author

Mark Cohen is a financial professional who has previously worked at BCG Securities and Metlife. Mark has extensive experience working as a financial advisor and enjoys being able to help others successfully manage their personal finances. He feels that working in finance provides a challenging environment where there are constant developments and changes. Mark Cohen has enjoyed great success in his career and achieved much at the various companies he's worked at, including building a talented team of investors, being recognized in the top one percent of financial advisors in the country, and being recognized in the top 20 of advisors throughout the country.