Stay safe

There are many things that you can do to ensure that you stay safe while traveling. Wikivoyage articles have a "Stay safe" section with location specific advice. This article covers general advice that applies to many destinations.

When traveling, don't take risks you wouldn't be comfortable taking at home. Assessing any risk is difficult unless you know the area and the activity well.

You can't eliminate all risks to your safety, so focus your energy on taking preventative steps proportional to the actual risks. For example, while there is realistically nothing much you can do to predict and avoid random terrorist attacks, car accidents claim the lives of more travelers than random acts of terrorism even in many badly hit countries, so focusing on traffic safety is more practical than avoiding random terrorist attacks.

Before you go

Before you get in to your destination, you should consider the following:

Travel advisories – Check foreign ministry travel advisories for your destination, before setting off. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade in Australia and the Bureau of Consular Affairs in the US, are excellent sources even if you are not a citizen of those countries.
Severe weather – Consider whether you're going to arrive during a good season weather-wise. For example, tropical storms can be a danger in various areas (hurricanes in the Caribbean area and southern United States, typhoons in Asia, especially along the coast from Vietnam to Japan) especially in hot weather, and tornadoes, sometimes called "twisters" can pose a danger to travelers in some parts of the world (especially in the United States), most often in spring and summer. If the climate is very different from what you are used to, be sure to know what you need to cope.
War zones – War zones are generally not suitable for tourists. No one should visit a region in this category without seriously considering the risks and how to mitigate them. Tourists can be just as 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.
Timing your arrival – When arriving at an unfamiliar destination, try to arrive during the day, if possible, rather than trying to find your way around at night. If the journey is long and you can sleep while travelling this can be a good way to plan your travel.
Travel documents – Check well in advance the documents you will need (passport, visas) and allow plenty of time for these - some kinds of paperwork can take weeks or months. You might also need papers for other activities, such as volunteer work, press reporting, visiting sensitive areas, etc.
Local laws – Consider local laws that may have legal repercussions for you. Be aware that things that are legal and ordinary at home may not always be legal abroad. Clothing, young partners (note local age of consent), homosexuality, alcohol or intoxicants, self-defense items, drugs (even drugs sold over the counter at home) and criticizing the ruler are examples of possible issues in some countries. In others, you may be required to report certain incidents, you typically wouldn't at home.
Local customs – Learn any important local customs. For example mocking firmly held local beliefs can have serious consequences; appropriate (modest) clothing can be important; there may be strict social taboos about touch or eating behavior. Other examples include local customs related to bargaining and negotiation, unfamiliar body language (head shaking in parts of Asia to mean "yes"), and even the local sense of time.
Emergency numbers – Learn the local number or numbers to call an ambulance, firefighters, or the police in an emergency. In some countries these are all the same number; in others there are three different numbers to memorize.
Medical and insurance – Consider medical needs and travel insurance. If you have medications, check whether you can bring them into the country, whether you need a doctor's letter, and how you will store and replenish them, if necessary. Only carry them in the original container from the pharmacy. If you might need medical help, then find out how this is charged (if not free), and whether you need to arrange insurance or extend existing insurance, or obtain any kind of paperwork, to cover medical emergencies. If you are bringing valuables with you, consider whether insurance is needed in the event of loss or theft. If you plan to do adventurous activities check if you need medical letters or specialist insurance.
Unfamiliar risks – Learn about natural and other unfamiliar risks that may apply. Road safety and quality of medical services may differ between countries, and some places have unfamiliar dangerous or poisonous plants and animals, or well-known hazards due to weather and other events (for example, tornado, tsunami or earthquake warnings). You might also want to check if some signs (such as those road rules or hazard warnings) are different from those you are familiar with. Whilst many safety signs have been harmonised internationally, you may still encounter regional or local variations and some signs with text only. Knowing how to recognise any regional 'civil protection' or 'emergency' signals is also useful.
Pets, children and people with special concerns – If you plan to travel with pets, children, or anyone with special concerns (such as health issues), be sure their needs are met – stopping points and breaks, accessibility, noise, public transport, accommodation, appropriate food – and that you know of special formal requirements, such as evidence you are allowed to travel with the child or that the pet is treated against certain diseases.

Travel sense

No place on the planet is completely free from safety risks, including your own home. However, gaining understanding about the nature of risk in general, specific threats at your destination, and what you can do to minimize both general and specific risks can go a long way towards a safe trip.

Stay aware

Be careful!

Be wary of possible threats wherever you are; relaxing on a warm beach and newfound friends can provide a false sense of security.
Gain knowledge about your destination. Learn about local customs, including those around appropriate dress, as well as some key phrases in the local language so that you can communicate. Learning about your destination will make you more aware of risks, help you to be better prepared to deal with emergencies that may occur, and will make your trip a lot easier in general. Check the local guides for advice on relevant crime and security risks, and how to avoid or minimise them.
Although you may want to make local friends, always be extremely cautious with anyone who tries to assertively befriend you, or situations you are encouraged into by people you don't know. In some countries this is one way people can take advantage of visitors.
Trust your instincts. If a situation just doesn't seem right to you, it probably isn't.
To avoid crime, it can help to think like a criminal; understand whom a criminal might target. Criminals tend to target people from whom they believe they will most easily be able to get what they want, whether because the person appears submissive, physically vulnerable, distracted, or because they stick out for other reasons. Flashing valuables is seldom advisable.

Get in

Carrying for others - 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. You could find yourself being used as a drug carrier without your knowledge, which will land you in a great deal of trouble. This includes waiting in line, as drug-sniffing dogs could be used at any time without notice. Some countries have exceedingly draconian punishments even for first time offenses; these can include prison sentences of over 10 years or death. Unattended bags are a target for theft and can also attract attention from authorities wary of bomb threats.

Sleep

Hotels can be dangerous places in case of fire. Check that there are two ways of escape from your room. Maps and instructions can be out of date. Some hotels and venues have specific fire alarm tones. Ask if you are unsure you will recognise them.

If possible, check that emergency exits are in fact usable. In China, for example, it is quite common to use bicycle padlocks on most of the exits from a building for "security", which the management apparently think means only maintaining tight control over all entry to and exit from the building. In one theater fire, dozens died because of this. If lawful, consider carrying a crowbar in case you need to bust a padlock. Even in places like Finland and Sweden (generally having and following rules) an emergency exit can be (temporarily or less so) blocked with furniture.

Get around

The safest mode of transport depends on the country, and the trip particulars, and it can be very difficult to do a fair comparison. Statistics comparing forms of travel are usually given by distance travelled and not by time, and are crowded by urban mythology.

When on a bus or train:

Stay near the driver/conductor/guard.
Ensure you always know where your bags are. Bags can be stolen from under seats or luggage racks.
See Tips for rail travel and Bus travel.

When riding in a taxi:

Use licensed cabs, rather than private cars (gypsy cabs), even though they might be slightly more expensive.
Always make sure the driver has turned on the meter if there is one, or negotiate the fare before the trip starts if there isn't.
When riding alone, sit behind the driver where it is more difficult for him to threaten or harm you.

When using a car:

Be aware of local traffic laws and regulations and follow them.
Keep the car locked, including the trunk/boot—thieves can snatch bags at the traffic lights.
Keep mobile phones and other valuables out of sight—travel insurance may not cover items left in cars.
Park in well lit places with no cover around the car—if there are bushes etc. thieves can work on the locks out of sight.
Before getting into your car, check the back seat to ensure no-one's hiding there.
Consider extending your insurance to cover all costs of window/windscreen replacement; it's not uncommon for thieves to just smash the glass to get in.
Be extra vigilant if your car has an "out-of-area" number-plate.
Be aware that "car-jacking" is a problem in certain parts of the world.

When walking:

Orient yourself with a map before setting out, and take local advice on undesirable areas to walk in.
Watch the body language of other tourists and the locals - if they don't seem happy about being in an area and are rushing through it or are turning around, you should reconsider whether you want to be there.
If approached aggressively, you may not have much time to think and a lot depends on the situation, so it's worth mentally thinking through in advance if a risky situation arose. There are many techniques, some rely on avoidance (hand over possessions, or avoid eye contact and keep moving), some rely on attracting attention (shouting loudly, making a disturbance), and some rely on being aware of what is around you.

Activities

See

Seeing the sights of the area will require you to get out of your hotel room and onto the streets, which in some areas carries a risk of violent crime.

Keep your eyes open. If the area feels unsafe, is quiet, or if the area is heavily vandalized and there are groups of young people hanging around, avoid unnecessary risks and move on.
Avoid street gangs, often recognizable as large groups of males, often wearing similar clothes or tattoos.
Travel in a group, and look out for each other.
If you are a victim of a fraud or scam, consider your circumstances carefully before aggressively confronting the scammer. A small monetary loss could escalate to something worse.
Don't attempt to fight off a thief.
Back alleys and quiet areas are interesting to explore, but there will be fewer people around to help you, and fewer people watching to deter violent crime.
Natural hazards are not always indicated by signs and fences. Assess the risks of cliffs and rivers before venturing too close.

Buy

To buy anything, you'll need money, which may make you a target for theft. To reduce your risks:

As much as possible, try to avoid looking like someone that a thief would target (remember, think like a criminal). To that end, don't flash wads of cash, or wear or carry expensive jewellery or valuables (keep those in the hotel safe).
Follow local advice as to safe areas.
Have copies of the information/photo page of your passport. Leave your passport in the hotel safe if that is available and permitted.
Have an additional credit card and some cash separate from your wallet. Split everything up in such a way that if one wallet gets stolen you can still enjoy the trip. Consider a money belt or other concealment.
Be aware of common scams. These are designed to get your money or business from you under false pretences. They fall into three categories: overcharging you, deceiving you or coercing you into paying for a service you don't want, and outright theft.
Take steps to protect yourself against pickpockets, who are a hazard in many tourist destinations.

In some areas, it is necessary to bargain with merchants to avoid being grossly overcharged.

Eat

Drink

Possessions

Stay healthy

Connect

Let someone back home know where you are, and when you will next be in touch.
Leave copies of your passport and travel insurance details with someone at home, it's also a good idea to carry a copy of your passport and any visas on you, ideally separate from your passport. This will ease your troubles with authorities if you lose it, and handing over a photocopy to potentially corrupt officials is a good way to deal with a potential blackmail situation.
Also consider taking a digital scan of your passport and important travel documents and storing it electronically - this can be as simple as emailing it to yourself, but the scan should be stored in an encrypted file.
Consider carrying a mobile communication method that will work in your destination. Check if your mobile phone will roam, and if there is coverage at your destination. Even a non-roaming phone can be used for emergency calls on a compatible network. Consider renting a satellite phone for remote areas.
Register with your embassy or relevant government department – some countries provide an online facility for doing this.

Protests and mass gatherings

Although you may see locals gathering to protest about a cause you are passionate about, as a visitor, the general rule to follow would be to stay away from such gatherings, or if you are caught up in one, to leave as quickly as possible. Mass protests are very volatile situations that can potentially escalate into a riot, something that you almost certainly do not want to get involved in.

As a foreigner, you are less well equipped to anticipate the developments, and if you get arrested you don't have the contacts and the familiarity with the legal system you might need to deal with the situation. Some countries have laws that specifically prohibit foreigners from participating in protests, so just because it is legal for the locals does not mean it is legal for you. It is also entirely possible that authorities want to use you as a political pawn or make an example of you.

In democracies it is not uncommon for people to travel long distances to attend a protest – either to protest in the capital to raise the profile or to support a case locally. Being on your own in a strange place can be daunting even without the added excitement of demonstrations and the police presence. If you're not going with friends you knew before the protest anyway, it might help to build an "affinity group" of maybe half a dozen people - make sure you are on the same page (e.g. regarding what you want to do at the protest and where you draw the line) and that each looks out for the others and makes sure everyone gets home in one piece or steps are taken if one does not. People who subscribe to the "no names, no structures" approach might suggest giving your affinity group a name and calling out that name, not the names of any of the group's members when you're searching for them.

The right to assemble and protest is not universally acknowledged nor respected. In many countries — including some Western countries — the authorities might deal with protests with violence, even deadly force.

Some street marches are held during a traffic shutdown. Others might violate traffic law, and have the risk of collision with vehicles.

Mass gatherings are also a risk factor for pickpocketing, molestation and other crime, as well as infectious diseases.

Crime and scams

See also: Crime and Common scams. At many destinations, there are dishonest people who try to prey on travellers' money; illegally, or within legal loopholes. A traveller can also be a victim of violence, molestation, vandalism, or other crime.

Local laws and customs

Travelers are subject to the laws of the country they're in, and need to remember that these laws can differ considerably from those of their home country. Moreover, in some cases such as Australia and the United States, the laws can vary between different parts of the country. As a result, something that might be perfectly acceptable at one destination can land you in jail at another, sometimes for years. This applies particularly to drugs and (in some countries) various kinds of antisocial behavior, and what may be a minor crime or "laugh" between friends at home, or passes for a social afternoon in the comfort of a coffee shop in Amsterdam, may land you in jail in Florida, a 10 year sentence in Sudan, corporal punishment with a rattan cane in some countries, or a place on death row in Singapore. Many Asian countries impose the death penalty for trafficking even minute amounts of illicit drugs. Moreover, attitudes towards drugs vary greatly between cultures; while they are seen an integral part of youth culture in parts of the West, attitudes towards drugs are strongly negative in many parts of Asia, where they are strongly associated with juvenile delinquency and organised crime.

Wikipedia provides a number of reference pages on various aspects of law around the world.

prostitution
homosexuality (see also LGBT travel on Wikivoyage)
age of consent
cannabis (see Cannabis)
ayahuasca
:(for other drugs and legal practices worldwide see laws and policies) Note that these are not guaranteed to be up-to-date. If a legal issue is important for you as a traveller, you will need to do further research yourself and quite possibly to consult a lawyer with appropriate expertise.

Self defence

Most countries have laws allowing you to use physical force to defend yourself when necessary, though the precise definition of what constitutes self-defence varies from country to country. In most countries, you are restricted to using a reasonable amount of force to deal with the threat; this is often coupled with a duty to retreat, meaning that you are required to get away from the situation instead if it is a reasonable alternative to using force. The "reasonable amount" can be judged both in relation to what was needed and to the alternative: to hurt someone to save some money may be deemed unreasonable. In other jurisdictions – famously some US states, but also Germany – there is a "castle doctrine", "stand-your-ground law", or the idea that "justice does not have to retreat in the face of injustice" that gives someone defending their right, safety or property a lot of leeway even when retreat would be an option. In the US in particular, this sometimes leads to well-publicized incidents of (sometimes erroneous) self-defence with a deadly outcome. In jurisdictions without a stand-your-ground law, using more force than is reasonable is excessive self-defence; this is a partial defence, meaning you will still be criminally liable but you may be charged with a lesser offence (e.g. manslaughter instead of murder) and/or receive a shorter sentence.

In many cases defending oneself by force may be dangerous. By threatening with force you raise the stakes, and somebody who really wants your wallet will have to neutralise you first, in whatever way. Where robbers may be armed you may put your life at risk. If you do not leave the attacker a chance to retreat (keeping his face), you may even force him to "defend" himself against your self-defence.

Claiming self-defence is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. In most cases, it is up to you to prove in court that your actions, on the balance of probabilities, constituted self-defence and therefore you should be found not guilty or get a shorter sentence. It is highly recommended that you seek legal advice before making any claim of self-defence.