If you’re travelling to a major city, then you’ll want to consider all of the risks you’ll be exposing yourself to. This applies whether you’re commuting every day to a workplace in the centre of town, or visiting a bustling tourist attraction at the weekend.
While it’s worth maintaining a sense of perspective about the likelihood of something bad happening during your visit, it’s worth also taking a few precautions to protect yourself against harm.
Plan Your Route Ahead of Time
If you find yourself improvising during your visit, then you might end up distracted. Rather than worrying about the environment immediately around you, you might spend your time thinking about where you’re going next, and whether a given side street might lead you to where you’d like to be.
By having an idea of where you’re going ahead of time, and being aware of all of the alternative routes, and the general layout of the city, you’ll stand a much better chance of staying alert to what’s around you.
Stay Aware in Crowded Areas
Pickpockets often operate in crowded areas, like tube stations. Certain cities, like Barcelona, are particularly notorious – but the truth is that thieves can thrive wherever crowds of distracted tourists might congregate.
Keep Your Belongings Close
If your belongings are physically close to your body, then they’ll be that much more difficult to steal without you noticing. Don’t take your phone out of your pocket when you’re near a street in London. Make sure also that your digital devices can’t be accessed without at least a password – and, better yet, a fingerprint.
Be Smart on Public Transport
One of the problems with public transport is that just about any member of the public can use it – which means that you might come into contact with someone who might wish you harm, or who might cause you harm accidentally. If you suffer an injury while travelling on a bus, then you might be entitled to hold the operator accountable through the court system.
Know What to Do in an Emergency
It’s worth forming at least a loose plan for what to do in an emergency situation. If you do so, then you won’t waste any time panicking when something unexpected happens – you’ll be able to simply put your plan into motion. This is particularly worthwhile if you, or any member of your party, has a particular medical problem that might cause them to require immediate attention from a professional.
Trust Your Instincts—and Move with Confidence
If you’re not familiar with your environment, the best approach is to often treat your instincts as a reliable guide. If you’re unsure of a given situation, then there’s no harm in erring on the side of caution. By promising yourself that you’ll trust your instincts, you’ll be able to move with confidence when your instincts tell you that everything’s fine – and, in this way, you might be able to enjoy your stay in the big city all the more.