The world is not dangerous or unsafe. Quite the opposite. There are some desperate places and people, even in your hometown, but these are a minority. In fact, you are more likely to get into trouble at home than travelling if you follow these common sense tips.

1. Back (packer) glance

Get in the habit of looking back when you get up to leave somewhere. Travel is very distracting, and you are probably carrying more stuff than when you are at home, so you are more likely to leave a jacket or journal at the Parisian cafe table where you were people watching.

2. Separate your sources of money

You know how you keep all your bank cards in your wallet/purse when you are at home? Well, do not do this while you are travelling. Keep at least one in a different place, preferably not on your person. If you lose all your cards on the road, it is very difficult to get replacements, and being without money in Timbuktu can be kind of unfun.

3. Do not keep your wallet/purse in your jeans' back pocket

To avoid being pickpocketed, keep your wallet in your front pocket, especially a pocket that can be buttoned up. Best of all, use the inside pocket of your jacket. There are also a load of different 'money belts' that either hang inside your shirt or wrap around your waist (under your shirt), etc. Make sure it is waterproof because travelling can often be sweaty/perspiring work. We would advise against the bum bag/fanny pack varieties. there is no better way to advertise the fact that you have a load of valuables on you ... and of course, they were never ever cool.

4. Scan all your major documents

Scan your travel documents and email them to yourself. It was traditional to photocopy your passport and visas, travel insurance etc, and keep them in a separate part of your luggage. But that's old school. These days, digital is best - that way your documents wont go missing even if your bags do.

5. Do not trust strangers who wear turtle neck/ polo neck tops

Only kidding about the turtle necks. It is hard to get to know the locals at a destination if you do not trust them, but there are limits to how much you should trust them when it comes to your personal safety (going with them into a risky area of town, money, and consuming their food or drink (if they are not consuming it themselves. Do a search on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum for the latest scams that travellers have reported for where you are going. Also, look at the 'Dangers and Annoyances' sections in your Lonely Planet guidebook and ask your hotel/hostel staff for safety tips.

6. Get travel insurance

This is mainly for health costs if you get ill or injured while abroad. Hospital costs can quickly get into the tens of thousands of dollars, even for a minor injury. Insurance is worth it. We strongly recommend this!

7. Get vaccinated

Visit your doctor before you leave to get all the relevant vaccinations/immunizations for the destinations you are visiting, and to learn what health precautions you should follow.

8. Avoid PDAs

We mean Public Display of Affluence (not Affection). If you're travelling abroad then you are more likely to be richer than most of the locals, but advertising this fact by wearing gold jewellery or carrying a $2000 camera around your neck is not advisable. It makes you a target for thieves. Leave your jewellery at home and keep your camera in a bag when you are not using it.

9. Some things are best perfected at home

It may seem like a breeze, but be advised that teaching yourself to ride a motorbike or jet ski in a foreign country is probably unwise. In Thailand, for instance, 38 people a day die in scooter accidents. Nb some travel insurance policies would not cover scooter-related injuries.

10. Check the fine print and certificates of instructors

If you are doing a specialist course (scuba diving) or something risky (bungee jumping) then check the operators have legitimate qualifications and a good safety record. There is usually a reason a course is cheaper than the others. PADI has a list of qualified diving operators.

11. Do not leave your belongings unattended in public spaces

This is very obvious that we are embarrassed to mention it, but people do it all the time. Most notably, travellers leave their bags at their feet or hanging from the back of chairs when they are at cafes or restaurants. Either keep them on your lap or wrap its strap around your leg.

12. Give it up

There is a simple rule that people find hard to follow: if you are mugged, give over your wallet, watch etc. This shoudl not be a problem if you have insurance and you have left all your irreplaceable stuff (eg grandma's necklace) at home. Just do it, and walk away uninjured.

13. Do not give to beggars

There are exceptions to this rule, such as monks seeking alms. But, in general, do not give away money to people on the street. Apart from the fact that you may have to get your wallet/purse out, encouraging begging is not the most efficient use of your money (and goodwill). If you want to help out, then do some volunteer work in the destination or donate some money to a local charity for the homeless or loan some money to a poor entrepreneur.

14. Be wary of using your credit card at an internet cafe

Internet cafes' computers may have keylogger software or hardware that records your key strokes, so unscrupulous characters (not necessarily the owners of the cafe) can see the username and password to your online accounts (banking, email etc) or grab your credit card details. A good trick to make this more challenging for them has been proposed by Thorn Tree user Karlo: open a couple of other browser windows (for the website you are using) and halfway through your passwords or credit card information type incorrect information into these windows

15. Do not pat stray dogs and cats

This is more of a 'note to self' than to you. You may be missing your pets at home, but stray animals may be carrying rabies and other fun infections. You should also not feed monkeys, for the same reason.

16. Your worst enemy may be your travel companion

Often your travel companions will take risks that compromise your safety. They will ask for help from people that you would not go near, they will aggravate a situation with arrogance, they will break any number of the no-nos mentioned above. Do not submit to their peer pressure. Stand your ground. And if they continue to be unsafe then consider parting ways.

Our professional team provides knowledgeable & customized services to prospects seeking overseas academic advancements, migration, transfers, application of visas, arrangement of accommodation & relocation, pre departure arrangement etc. Seeking consultation, please call : China Customer Service Hotline: 400-7160816 or Singapore Service Hotline：+65 6737-9958

We have established long term strategic partnerships with various well-known portals, one of which will be Agoda, please click: :"http://www.agoda.com.cn/asia/Singapore/Singapore.html?Cid=14459

Below are our affiliates' homepage:

Overseas Educational Services 新加坡留学网www.eistudy.com

Rental of Residential Properties 新加坡公寓网http://www.65house.com

Immigration 新加坡移民网http://www.65pr.com

Singapore Property Investment 新加坡房产网http://house.heysg.com

(Chief Editor:lucyahu)