Theme of the Month - Personal Safety whilst on holiday
Theme of the Month: Personal Safety Whilst on Holiday
Personal safety whilst on holiday is about preparing before you travel, staying aware in unfamiliar surroundings and knowing how to respond if plans change. Researching your destination, protecting important belongings, planning transport and keeping essential information accessible are simple precautions that can help you travel more safely and confidently.
Staying Safe and Prepared When Travelling
Our Theme of the Month for August focuses on practical ways to stay prepared, aware and safe while travelling.
Whether you are travelling within the UK or going abroad, thinking ahead can help you feel more confident in unfamiliar surroundings and better prepared if plans change or something unexpected happens.
Personal safety does not mean worrying about everything that could go wrong. It is about taking sensible precautions before and during your trip.
Holiday Safety at a Glance
Before and during your trip:
Research your destination before travelling.
Check important travel documents.
Plan how you will reach your accommodation.
Let someone you trust know your plans.
Keep important documents and belongings secure.
Keep useful contact and travel information accessible.
Stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas.
Think carefully about information you share publicly online.
Have a plan for getting back to your accommodation.
Know how to access help if something goes wrong.
Trust your judgement and move somewhere safer if a situation makes you uncomfortable.
What Does Personal Safety Whilst Travelling Mean?
Personal safety whilst travelling means taking practical steps to reduce avoidable risks and knowing what to do when circumstances change.
This could be as simple as planning your journey before setting off, keeping important belongings secure or knowing who to contact if you need assistance.
Preparation cannot prevent every unexpected situation, but it can give you useful information and options if something does happen.
Preparing Before Your Holiday
Personal safety can begin before you leave home.
Taking time to organise important information can reduce the number of things you need to think about once you arrive.
Your Pre-Travel Checklist
Before travelling:
Research your destination and the area where you will be staying.
Plan transport to and from your accommodation.
Check your passport and any other required documents.
Keep booking details somewhere accessible.
Keep copies of important documents separately where appropriate.
Let a trusted person know where you are going.
Save useful contact information.
Check relevant official travel advice when travelling abroad.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's foreign travel advice provides country-specific information including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences. [gov.uk]
If travelling with other people, make sure everyone understands key arrangements.
Keeping Important Travel Information Accessible
Think about what information you would need if you suddenly could not access your phone, email or usual apps.
Consider keeping access to:
The name and address of your accommodation
Travel and booking details
Emergency contact information
Important document details or secure copies where appropriate
Relevant transport information
For example, if your phone battery runs out while exploring an unfamiliar area, having your accommodation details available somewhere else could make it easier to find your way back.
Staying Safe During Your Journey
Airports, railway stations, public transport and unfamiliar town or city centres can be busy environments.
Practical Steps Whilst Travelling
Stay aware of your surroundings.
Keep important belongings secure.
Plan journeys before setting off where possible.
Use reputable transport services.
Keep your phone sufficiently charged.
Avoid unnecessarily displaying valuables or large amounts of cash.
Check that you still have your belongings when leaving transport or moving between locations.
Knowing where you are going before beginning a journey can also help you feel more confident somewhere unfamiliar.
Staying Safe at Your Accommodation
When you first arrive, familiarise yourself with your accommodation and surrounding area.
Make sure you know:
The name and location of where you are staying
How you will return after going out
Where important belongings and documents are stored
What to do if you become separated from the people you are travelling with
If something about your accommodation or surroundings makes you feel unsafe, take your concerns seriously and seek appropriate assistance.
Keeping Your Belongings and Documents Secure
Passports, phones, money, bank cards and travel documents can be particularly important when away from home.
Consider:
Keeping essential belongings securely stored
Avoiding carrying everything important together where practical
Checking belongings after using public transport or visiting busy locations
Keeping relevant details or secure copies of important documents separately where appropriate
Taking only the belongings you need when going out
It can also be useful to think in advance about what you would do if an important item became lost or unavailable.
Staying Safe When Exploring
Exploring unfamiliar places can be an enjoyable part of a holiday, but knowing where you are and how you will return is important.
Before Heading Somewhere Unfamiliar
Familiarise yourself with the area.
Know the location of your accommodation.
Plan your return journey.
Keep your phone charged.
Keep useful contact details accessible.
Pay attention to your surroundings.
Tell someone you are travelling with where you are going when appropriate.
If travelling as a group, consider agreeing on a meeting point in case you become separated.
Planning Transport and Your Return Journey
Knowing how you will get somewhere and return can reduce uncertainty, particularly in an unfamiliar destination.
Where possible:
Research transport options
Use reputable transport providers
Check your return journey in advance
Avoid relying entirely on your phone for essential journey information
Consider an alternative if your original transport becomes unavailable
If plans unexpectedly change, take a moment to consider the available options rather than feeling pressured into making an immediate decision.
Staying Safe Online Whilst Away
Personal safety also includes thinking about your digital security.
Consider what information you share publicly about:
Your current location
Where you are staying
Your travel arrangements
How long you will be away
Personal or financial information
Be careful when using unfamiliar public Wi-Fi networks and when providing sensitive information to unfamiliar websites, messages or services.
Looking After Money and Bank Cards
Consider how you will access and store your money while travelling.
Simple Financial Safety Precautions
Avoid carrying unnecessarily large amounts of cash.
Keep cards and other important belongings secure.
Avoid keeping everything valuable together where practical.
Check your bank account for transactions you do not recognise.
Be cautious if somebody unexpectedly requests financial information, passwords or security details.
Do not allow yourself to be pressured into providing sensitive financial information unexpectedly.
What Should You Do If You Lose Your Phone?
Losing your phone somewhere unfamiliar can be particularly disruptive because it may also affect access to maps, bookings, contacts and travel information.
Preparation can make this situation easier.
Before travelling:
Keep essential travel information somewhere other than only on your phone.
Know the address of your accommodation.
Keep important contact information accessible separately.
Make sure people you are travelling with know what to do if you become separated.
What Should You Do If You Lose Your Passport Abroad?
Losing a passport abroad can affect your ability to travel, so use official advice to understand the available options.
For eligible British nationals outside the UK who need to travel urgently and cannot use their UK passport, the UK Government provides information about applying for an emergency travel document. Eligibility conditions apply, and an emergency travel document is usually valid for a single or return journey. [gov.uk]
You can read the official UK Government emergency travel document guidance.
Travelling Abroad
International travel can involve additional preparations.
Before leaving the UK:
Check information about your destination.
Review current official travel advice.
Check entry requirements.
Make sure required documents are available and valid.
Keep important travel information accessible.
Find out how to access appropriate help at your destination.
The FCDO's country-specific travel advice covers areas including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences. [gov.uk]
Because travel requirements and risks can change, check the relevant advice when planning your trip and again before travelling.
What Should You Do If You Feel Unsafe?
Trust your judgement.
If a person, place or situation makes you uncomfortable, prioritise your immediate safety instead of feeling that you have to remain there because it formed part of your plans.
Where possible:
Move to a safer place.
Contact someone you trust.
Seek assistance from an appropriate service or responsible person.
Contact the relevant emergency services if there is immediate danger.
If travelling abroad, emergency arrangements can differ by destination. UK Government advice recommends checking the emergency telephone number at your destination and the “Getting help” section of the relevant FCDO country page. [prepare.ca...ign.gov.uk]
What If You Become Separated From Your Group?
If travelling with friends, family or a larger group, discuss what you will do if somebody becomes separated.
Before visiting somewhere busy:
Agree on a meeting point.
Make sure everyone knows where you are staying.
Share relevant contact information.
Agree what to do if you cannot contact each other.
Having a basic plan can make an unexpected situation easier to manage.
Planning for Emergencies Abroad
Knowing where to find help is an important part of preparing for international travel.
Before travelling, know:
How to contact emergency services at your destination
Who you would contact at home
Where essential travel information is stored
How you would return to your accommodation
What you would do if you lost access to your phone or important belongings
UK Government emergency preparedness advice recommends checking FCDO country-specific advice for information including travel warnings, safety and security, health and entry requirements, and checking the destination's emergency telephone number. [prepare.ca...ign.gov.uk]
Your Holiday Safety Next Steps
Personal safety is about preparation, not worrying.
Before your next trip, take five simple steps:
Check official travel information for your destination.
Check your documents and make sure anything you need is available and valid.
Save essential information, including accommodation and emergency contact details.
Plan your first and return journeys so you know how you will reach your accommodation.
Tell someone you trust about your plans where appropriate.
These straightforward actions can help you feel more prepared if circumstances change.
Explore LSP's Personal Safety Resources
LSP's Personal Safety Whilst on Holiday resources provide further guidance covering:
Preparing for a holiday
Staying aware while travelling
Protecting important belongings
Personal safety
Travelling abroad
Digital safety
Planning transport
Responding to unexpected situations
These resources can be used alongside the practical information on this page when preparing for a trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Safety
What should I check before travelling abroad?
Check official travel advice for your destination, entry requirements and the documents you need. FCDO travel advice provides destination-specific information covering entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences. [gov.uk]
What information should I keep accessible whilst travelling?
Useful information includes the name and address of your accommodation, travel and booking details, emergency contacts and essential transport information.
What should I do if I feel unsafe on holiday?
Prioritise your safety. Where possible, move somewhere safer, contact somebody you trust and seek appropriate assistance. If there is immediate danger, contact the relevant local emergency service.
What happens if I lose my UK passport abroad?
Eligible British nationals who are outside the UK, need to travel urgently and cannot use their UK passport may be able to apply for an emergency travel document. The UK Government sets out the specific eligibility conditions online. [gov.uk]
Where can I check official safety information before travelling abroad?
Use the UK Government's foreign travel advice to find destination-specific information.
Key Takeaways
Remember:
Research your destination before travelling.
Make sure important documents are ready and accessible.
Plan important journeys in advance.
Keep valuable belongings and travel information secure.
Know where you are staying and how you will return.
Be careful about what you share publicly online.
Stay aware in busy or unfamiliar surroundings.
Have a plan if you become separated from your group.
Know where to get appropriate help.
Trust your judgement if a situation does not feel safe.
Summary
Personal safety whilst on holiday is about being prepared, remaining aware of your surroundings and knowing what to do if circumstances unexpectedly change.
Researching your destination, organising important documents, planning transport, protecting valuable belongings and considering digital safety are all practical steps you can take.
The aim is not to worry about every possible situation. Good preparation can give you more options when plans change and help you travel with greater confidence.
