Traveling can be an exciting adventure or a chance to relax. Millions of Americans will be traveling this year, and you might be one of them. Growing up, my parents always told me scare stories about issues with safety while traveling. As an adult, I have had several scares myself, though luckily by following basic safety tips on travel safety I have always been able to stay unharmed, healthy, with my wallet intact. Here are several things you should keep in mind for safety while traveling.

First, ostentatious wealth tends to attract grabby hands. If you are vacationing in an unfamiliar place, do not go walking down every street wearing your most valuable pearls. Dress nicely but plainly so as not to attract any extra attention. Keep a minimum amount of valuables with you, and lock up any you do not keep on your person. If you do not need three hundred dollars in cash for a night out, why bring it? Safe traveling is often light traveling.

Second, stay on the alert no matter if a place seems safe or not. This does not mean you have to forever look over your shoulder. But keep in mind that criminals do not always look the way you expect them to. Little girls can be thieves. Nice looking men can pull away your purse as you pass each other getting into and out of the subway. A helpful stranger can have a double motive. Safety while traveling means ignoring false senses of security.

Third, a lot of traveling safety just involves knowing and understanding your surroundings. If you go on a trip to Barcelona, the Gothic district is a little more unpredictable at night than it is during the day. Study a quick map before you go out, and try not to get stuck in a random part of the city. Try to at least look as if you have a purpose.

Fourth, for wherever you are going, look up what tourist crime tends to occur locally. When my friend went to the Czech Republic, for example, she unfortunately had her wallet stolen while on the train. Sometimes people become accustomed to thinking certain places or services are safe spots, and consequently do not practice safety while traveling as much as they could have.

Good luck traveling safely, and remember, always keep your phone charged in case of an emergency!