Safety Tips for Tourists

Although Canada is not plagued by high rates of crime, it is still important to make your safety a priority. This actually applies to all situations, regardless of which country or city you are in. It becomes even more important if you are in a country with which you are not familiar. Here are some tips on how to secure your safety and personal well-being while exploring Canada: Luggage and Other Possessions Any foreign visitor needs to make sure his luggage and other possessions do not get lost in transit or get stolen. Tourists should always keep their travel tickets, passports, visas, and other such documents—like Super Visa insurance for elderly companions and letters of consent for underage ones—safe and close at hand. A sling bag that is worn diagonally across the body is more secure than a fancy handbag held in the crook of your elbow. You can place your travel papers, wallet, cell phone, camera, and other small items that you are likely to use a lot while touring Canada in the sling bag. Make sure your bag is sturdy and durable, and has zippers instead of just flaps with velcro fasteners. A bag with two or more external pockets is also advisable because you can organize things properly. If you only need to use your phone, you will not have to open the entire bag and risk someone seeing the rest of your bag's contents. Never leave this bag behind, especially if you are in public areas. As for your luggage, each piece should have a name tag with your contact numbers. Make sure all bags are on hand before you move from one place to another. You can also use sturdy, little locks on the zippers of your bags to make sure no one can open them without your consent. Every tourist is also advised to have clear photocopies of their passports, insurance papers, tickets, and identification cards/documents for backup. Have copies of your own and leave another set with a family member or friend who you trust. Personal Safety Before you arrive in Canada, make arrangements for your accommodations. If you have friends and relatives in Canada, they may be willing to let you stay with them. They can also help you to find a reasonable hotel that will not only fit your budget, but can also be relied upon in terms of security and customer service. Ask where the emergency exits are, and make sure that the telephone in your room is working properly. Speaking of telephones, in the event of an emergency you should call 911. Another option is to type in "0" and press call. An operator will then come on the line and you can request to be connected to the police, hospital, fire department, or any other emergency institution close to your current location. Traveling with several companions is usually more secure than just traveling alone. Numbers often deter criminals from targeting you or your companions. If you do have to travel alone, avoid staying out too late and walking on deserted streets. You will be safer in places where tourists congregate because these areas will be patrolled by police officers who will be keeping an eye on things.