Seven Great Tips for Safe Travel in the Caribbean
Once your travel plans are confirmed and your hotel room has been booked, it is time to get down to packing and getting ready for a fun-filled trip to the Caribbean. Don’t forget to have a safe travel and stay though. Here are some safety tips:
- Use theft-proof gear reinforced with wire mesh to prevent slashes and rips. Choose travel purses with a closed zipper and with straps that can be secured to a chair or pole while you go for a swim. Hikers and trekkers can use backpack protectors to secure their backpacks to a tree, if necessary.
- While swimming in the sea, stay within sight of lifeguards and avoid swimming alone. Pay heed to warnings on beaches where the surf is rough and you are advised against swimming. Remember that swimming after dark increases the risk of entanglements caused by reduced visibility. Avoid alcohol before swimming as alcohol dulls reflexes and affects co-ordination.
- While surfing, use the surfboard leash to avoid the danger of a runaway surfboard hurting yourself or other surfers.
- Take care not to get too much sun when you travel in the Caribbean lest you should suffer a heat stroke. When you sunbathe, apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Ensure that you drink plenty of water or other fluids and stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day.
- If you are a diver, always check the local weather report for any storms or hurricanes before you venture out to sea. These can alter sea conditions without warning, even if the island you travel to is not in the path of the storm.
- Mosquito bites can cause dengue and malarial fever. Carry insect repellent and apply it after applying sunscreen. Sleep under mosquito nets if you are camping or sleeping outdoors.
- If you are feeling sick or have indigestion, avoid drinking tap water and stick to bottled water and juices. Remember to say “no ice” when ordering a drink or a juice. Ensure that you wash your hands with soap or a sanitizer during the day, particularly before a meal.
