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more health and safety info...
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Safety is an important aspect of travel. In some locations there are specific safety concerns, while other concerns are more general and affect travel throughout the world.
Certain tips for travel are nearly universal, and include such things as protecting your money and travel documentation.
Tornados
In some parts of the world, especially in the United States, tornadoes – sometimes called "twisters" – can pose a danger to travelers.
For more in-depth information see:
Tornado Safety
Tropical storms
Tropical storms can be a danger in various areas:
- Hurricanes in the Caribbean area and Southern US
- Typhoons in Asia, especially along the coast from Vietnam to Japan
They are most common and most powerful in hot weather.
For more in-depth information see: Severe Weather - Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Man-made hazards
Scams
There are common scams that occur in many places that the traveller should be aware of. These are designed to get your money or business from you under false pretenses. They fall into three categories: overcharging you, deceiving you or coercing you into paying for a service you don't want, and outright theft. For more in-depth information see: Common scams
Begging
When traveling, you will without a doubt come across people asking for money. After all, poor people everywhere will reason that anyone who can afford to travel – by definition – has money to spare.
For more in-depth information see: Begging
Pickpockets
Pickpockets are a hazard in nearly any tourist destination. After all, tourists - by definition - have disposable income, and are likely to be carrying some money and/or valuables.
For more in-depth information see: Pickpockets
Drugs
In many countries, possession of even the smallest quantities of drugs will land you in a great deal of trouble. Also, it is not unheard of for travellers to be used as drug carriers without their knowledge. When traveling, never let your bags out of your sight, especially when you are crossing international borders. Do not offer to carry anything for another person unless you trust them absolutely.
For more in-depth information see: Avoid Trouble with Drugs
War zones
War zones or former war zones, often called hostile environments, are not the most obvious places for non-essential travel, but with the right preparation and experience they can provide the intrepid traveller with a unique experience. However, no one should visit a country in this category without seriously considering the risks and how to mitigate them. Tourists can be just a much a target of hostility as any military force. Indeed, tourists could be regarded as a soft target since they do not have the backup of a large organisation. In recent times, tourists have been targeted in Afghanistan, Egypt and Kenya.
For more in-depth information see: War Zone Safety
Information here (unless otherwise specified) are licenced
under a Creative
Commons Licence.
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