TWB- Safety Tips

So we all hear the usual "stay safe/be safe" whenever we tell our friends and family we are traveling out of the area. And while we all try our best, or at least should be, traveling while black comes with a heightened sense of safety. Traveling while black and SOLO as a woman requires even more hypervigilance. However, because you can not travel with "normal" safety tools like pepper spray, knives, or even a gun, you do not want to be so hyper-vigilant that it leads to paranoia. You want to make sure you leave your destination with the stuff that you came with, at least. If you go home with more than you came with, hopefully, it's memories, gifts, and laughs, but if you go home with something else, at least make sure the stuff you arrived with leaves as well. So here are a few items I keep in my "Travel safety Kit."

• First aid kit- I am accident-prone. I don't try to be, but things happen to me. If you are like me and find yourself with the occasional cut and bruise, a first aid kit will come in handy in more than one way. I would even suggest going to the dollar tree and grabbing a few of these if you get sick on vacation.

Excedrin migraine

Benadryl or Zyrtec (antihistamine in case of an allergic reaction)

Dramamine or motion sickness bracelet.

Charcoal Tablets- helps prevent stomach flu or traveler's diarrhea.

Milk Thistle- THE Hangover Cure.. Trust me, it works wonders.

• A door stop alarm- this magical gadget slides under your door from the inside, and should somebody from the outside try to enter without permission, it emits a loud annoying sound. A sound guaranteed to bring unnecessary attention to whoever is trying to enter the room.

• Anti-theft Money Bag/Fanny Pack/Waist Belt- The best way to ensure your items are safe is to keep them on you. They are also great to have everything on hand when you go on excursions. Anti-theft bags are made from a special slash-proof body fabric and straps, locking zippers, and RFID blocking pockets to prevent your cards from being scanned.

• A door lock- They have one that slides in the lock from the inside that can be adjusted. However, my personal favorite is the one that goes around the door handle and essentially locks the handle in place so that it cannot be turned.

• Bra Pouch- A bra pouch is a way to go for the ladies who don't want to wear a fanny pack because it doesn't match the outfit. This pouch d o stash your items, but you do not have a bra or a bad. This garter slides on the thigh and has pockets for cards and cash. It can fit your passport, but I would not advise attaching your passport to your thigh.

• A personal alarm- this is vital if you are traveling solo.

• Luggage locks- If you feel as if somebody may enter your room when you are away, you can keep your small valuables on you but for larger valuables, lock them in your bag until you return. It will help you keep peace of mind.

• A phone with data that works internationally- This may sound crazy, but it is self-explanatory. Look at your phone company's international plan, so you are not stuck without service during your vacation.

• Power Bank- A dead battery on vacation sucks, and you may miss the opportunity to capture the best content because you are conserving your battery.

• Currency conversion app- Do not be stuck in another country looking like a tourist because you got finessed by a "deal" that was not a deal because you didn't know the exchange rate.

• Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) - STEP allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate should anything arise. It will allow the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency, and help your family get in contact with you should something happen.

There are many more safety gadgets. So please feel free to add and subtract as you see fit. Staying safe is vital to making sure you enjoy your trip. So if you are going to be traveling while black, at least make sure you have your own back. All of the aforementioned items, and then some, can be found at my Amazon Storefront under the TWB- Safety Items section (*) https://www.amazon.com/shop/breeelaine

*Please note that commission is earned from any items purchased through the associated Amazon link. While my blogs are not sponsored ads, any purchases made are greatly appreciated.