You expect your holiday to be full of fun and adventure, providing you with some treasured memories, but sadly things don’t always go according to plan.Here is a look at some of travel safety tips you can follow to prevent that happening and what action to take when something goes wrong on foreign shores.
Personal injury firm slatergordon.co.uk are regularly asked to get involved in cases where an accident or injury abroad, has created a nightmare scenario that is very different to the original expectations you had for the holiday.
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4 Travel Safety Tips
Injuries and illness
The World Health Organization (WHO) collates and publishes regular figures on deaths and injuries relating to foreign travelers, and statistically speaking, injuries are the leading cause of death and disabilities around the world for people aged between 15-29 years.
An estimated 24% of deaths amongst travelers abroad can be attributed to injuries, while infectious diseases are the cause of about 2% of deaths.
The dangers of driving abroad
When you go on holiday, you are often more relaxed than normal and may also display a more adventurous spirit than you would at home.
Nothing wrong with having a good time and letting your hair down so to speak, but this can lead to a lack of awareness about safety and security as well as a potential lowering of your normal caution when it comes to getting behind the wheel of a car for example.
Even if you are careful when driving because you are traveling along unfamiliar roads and different conditions than you are used to, standards of road safety can often be lower than at home, which instantly makes you more vulnerable.
Road traffic accidents are the number one killer of tourists according to figures, so you need to be vigilant.
Water-related deaths and injuries
A good number of holidays revolve around water, as it is a major source of fun and enjoyment when we are on holiday.
At least 10% of deaths to foreign travelers are through drowning so it is hardly surprising that water-related deaths and injuries rank highly amongst the incidents reported.
Young men are particularly vulnerable to spinal injuries through diving into shallow water and there are about 15-20 deaths per 100,000 scuba-divers, so that is an example of a holiday activity where you should get professional tuition and known your limits.
Be prepared
Being informed of the dangers that face you abroad, shouldn’t spoil your enjoyment. It is just a case of having an awareness of potential dangers and trying to safe while still having plenty of fun in the sun.
Another way to be prepared for any eventuality, is to carry a copy of your medical information around with your, so that your blood type, medication and allergies are immediately known to medical staff in the event of an emergency.
You should definitely obtain proper travel insurance so that you have some cover if medical attention is required. Over half of all travel insurance claims relate to medical expenses, so the need for good cover is clear for all to see.
Most holidays pass without incident, but you need to prepared for when things go wrong.
Maisie Whitehead loves to travel, and is currently exploring the possibility of traveling full time, using her writing skills to earn money as she explores Asia and beyond.
Take a look at this link to find more safety travel tips.
