6 Tips for Travel Safety On and Off the Road

Nurse safety is always important, whether you're on the job or on the road. Here are some of our top tips for safe traveling and peace of mind while underway.

As a traveling healthcare professional, moving from one assignment to the next is an integral part of your career. Being a savvy traveler makes each new journey a pleasure in itself. Here are half a dozen tips to give you peace of mind and keep you safe while underway:

1. Make Your Hotel Room Look Occupied

Put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your room door when you leave, unless you specifically need housekeeping services. Also, leave the blinds drawn with a light on inside anytime you go out.

2. Use a Travel Door Alarm

These nifty new products cost just a few dollars and provide you with peace of mind in any lodging situation. The small motion-sensor device attaches to the inside of your hotel room door and sounds an alarm if the doorknob moves. Several models are available on Amazon for approximately $12.00.

3. Lock Up Your Luggage

If you travel by air, your checked suitcases pass through a lot of hands before they reach you again. Many brands of TSA-approved locks are available, keeping your luggage safe from theft while allowing access for authorized security personnel.

4. Pack an Emergency Car Kit

The United States can feel huge and empty when you’re on the road for hours between cities. Make sure you carry an emergency car kit for your road trip:

Always keep your phone charged with a car charger or backup phone battery, if your vehicle doesn’t have USB charging outlets.
First aid kit
Flashlight
Reflective warning signs
Blankets
Non-perishable food (Individually wrapped food bars are great.)
Drinking water
For older vehicles, a combination battery-charger / air compressor is very useful.

5. Leave Information with a Friend

Leave your planned itinerary with a friend or family member so that someone knows where you’re expected to be on which date. It’s also helpful to give that person your flight numbers and credit card loss reporting information. Plan a schedule of regular check-in times and keep in touch.

6. Research Neighborhoods Ahead of Time

If you stop overnight in unfamiliar cities, you need to know which parts of them tend to be dangerous. You can learn a lot by Googling “Dangerous parts of [city]” and reading some of the results. Also, check out the guest reviews of hotels before making your reservation, just to ensure that other travelers haven't experienced any specific safety issues.