''There are many things that you can do to ensure that you stay safe while traveling. Wikitravel articles have a "Stay safe" section with location specific advice. This article covers general advice that applies to many destinations.''
Understand
No place on the planet is completely free from safety risks. 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.
When traveling, don't take risks you wouldn't be comfortable taking at home. Be wary of possible threats wherever you are; relaxing on a warm beach can provide a false sense of security.
You can't completely eliminate ''all'' risks to your safety, so focus your energy on taking preventative steps proportional to the actual risks. For example, car accidents claim the lives of more travelers than random acts of terrorism around the world do, so focusing on driving safely will be more useful than focusing on avoiding terrorist attacks.
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 prepared to deal with emergencies that may occur, and will make your trip a lot easier in general.
Understand that it helps to always trust your instincts. If a situation just doesn't seem right to you, it probably isn't.
In order 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.
Get in
Before you get in to your destination, you should consider the following:
It's always a good idea to check your foreign ministry's travel advisory for your destination, before setting off. The FCO[http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country] in the UK, The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade[http://www.smartraveller.gov.au] in Australia and The Bureau of Consular Affairs[http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html] in the US, are excellent sources even if you are not a citizen of those countries.
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.
War zones or former war zones, often called hostile environments, are not the most obvious places for non-essential travel, but with the right preparation and experience they can provide the intrepid traveller with a unique experience. However, no one should visit a country in this category without seriously considering the risks and how to mitigate them. Tourists can be just a 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. In recent times, tourists have been targeted in Afghanistan, Egypt and Kenya.
When traveling, 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.
When arriving at an unfamiliar destination, try to arrive during the day, if possible, rather than trying to find your way around at night.
Get around
When on a bus or train:
Stay near the driver/conductor/guard when getting on.
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:
Don't drink and drive.
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, 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.
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.
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 less people around to help you, and less people watching to deter violent crime.
Natural hazards are not always indicated by signs and fences in some regions. Assess the risks of cliffs, rivers, before venturing too close.
Buy
In order 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 jewelery 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.
Be aware of common scams. These are designed to get your money or business from you under false pretenses. 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, which are a hazard in many tourist destinations.
Eat
Find out about the water quality, and if there is doubt either use bottled water (ensuring the seal hasn't been broken) or boil water vigorously for 2 minutes before using. Also make sure to avoid ice cubes in drinks. Check in advance, and don't rely on local advice.
Use your best judgement about restaurants. If the place looks dodgy, eat somewhere else.
Make sure food is fully cooked.
Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Wash your hands with soap and water before eating. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).
Don't eat plants or fungi that you find in the wild, unless you're sure what they are. Some poisonous species in some parts of the world closely resemble edible species in other parts of the world.
Drink
Taking part in a city's nightlife can be the highlight of a trip; however, nighttime is when the shady people of the city come out, so extra vigilance is necessary. If the nightlife isn't your thing back home, don't feel obligated to go out when travelling; the safest place to be at night is in your hotel room. If you do decide to go out, here are some tips:
Try to avoid walking the streets alone after dark, or minimally stay in well-lit areas.
Dress down, and don't flaunt your wealth in other ways either.
Try not to get too drunk. The risk of being a victim of violent crime and sexual assault increases if you are intoxicated.
Avoid accepting drinks, meals or gifts purchased for you. It can create an expectation in the giver, and can also expose you to drink spiking etc.
Avoid going back to a stranger's house, hotel, or any other location. If you wish to socialize in this way, ensure you have a familiar, public, and safe location that you can nominate.
Avoid purchasing drugs.
Stay healthy
:''Main article: Travel health''
See your doctor before you travel. Ensure that you are healthy enough to do what you have planned, and check regarding disease exposure in the areas you will be visiting, and take appropriate precautions, such as getting vaccinated.
If you decide to have new sexual relationships, always follow safe sex practices, and use a condom. The prevalence of AIDS varies between countries, but it exists everywhere, and unsafe sex will always be a lottery.
Contact
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.
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. Consider renting a satellite phone in remote areas.
Not sure how it goes for other embassies, but you can register at the US Embassy (passport and travel information). There's more info at the website and you can do it online (http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7130a.html). Should there be trouble, your registration will make it easier for the embassy to help.