| Summary • Traveling alone as a woman can come with certain risks. Almost 70% of women say that they don’t travel alone due to safety concerns. • If you pack the right safety items in your travel kit, you’ll be more prepared for emergencies and be able to enjoy your trip. • Some top safety items you should purchase include a personal alarm, pepper spray, and a door stop alarm. • Downloading a safety app that can connect you to emergency services in a dangerous situation can also give you peace of mind to enjoy any place your wanderlust takes you. |
Few things are more exhilarating than traveling to new places. You get to explore unfamiliar parts of the world, escape your comfort zone, and make lasting memories. However, traveling alone as a solo female can be dangerous, and there are all kinds of safety concerns to navigate. In fact, 69% of women say fearing for their safety is their main reason for not traveling alone.
Decided it’s time for a change of scenery and you want to give traveling alone a go? We’ve put together a list of travel essentials to make sure you’re safe as you explore all the world has to offer.
In this article, we outline must-have items for solo female travelers, so that you can fully enjoy every moment of your adventure.
Items to Include in Your Travel Safety Kit
You may think traveling to some of the safest countries in the world — like Canada, Finland, and New Zealand — would be enough to keep you out of harm’s way. But this isn’t always the case. Even if you’re traveling to the most secure spot on earth, investing in travel safety gear is essential if you’re a solo traveler.
Most of the items on this list can be easily packed into your carry-on luggage and then transferred into your personal bag once you’ve reached your destination. Here are the top seven safety items to invest in:
A personal safety alarm
A personal alarm is a device that you can attach to your keychain or wear on your person. We know it isn’t nice to imagine dangerous situations or dark alleyways, but it will come in handy if you ever feel vulnerable or unsafe.
These alarms work by sounding a loud siren when they’re activated. The idea is that this will deter humans (and dangerous animals). Some alarms also come with a flashing strobe light, which can draw attention to your potentially dangerous situation.
Mobile apps like Aster are also available. They can act as your personal safety alarm, turning your cell phone into the ultimate safety device.
Whether you’re exploring the mountains or wandering city streets, personal alarms are essential to your safety as a woman.
A portable door lock
Simply locking your hotel room door isn’t always safe. Someone could easily use a spare key to access your hotel room, belongings, and — most importantly — you!
A portable door lock is a budget-friendly safety item that is super easy to use. You simply attach it to the hole in the door jam and then insert the plastic handle (which is usually red) to keep the lock in place.
A secondary door lock gives you extra peace of mind that no one can enter your room without being allowed in.
A door stop alarm
As mentioned above, there’s the chance your hotel room could be robbed (or worse), especially if you’re traveling alone. This is enough to keep you up all night.
While a rubber door stopper will certainly make it harder for the door to open, an alarmed device may help you sleep more soundly.
A door stop alarm is wedged under a door, and if someone tries to open the door, an alarm will sound. When you’re inside any of your hotel rooms, you’ll know if someone is trying to get in without your permission, easing your safety concerns.
A slash-proof cross-body bag
You may be tempted to tote around your favorite handbag as you roam the streets of your travel destination. But it is far safer to invest in a cross-body bag that you can wear in front of you rather than a handbag or backpack that you won’t be able to keep an eye on while you travel.
Many of these bags come with slash-proof straps as an anti-theft feature. These safety straps mean it would be a lot harder for someone to seal your bag and belongings.
You can also get an anti-theft bag version of your camera or carry-on bag.
Alternatively, you might want to consider a money belt with a front-facing pouch. Many of these belts come with RFID-blocking technology built in so that your bank cards can’t be read.
A first aid kit
We highly recommend that you pack a first-aid kit in your luggage before you leave for your trip.
This will ensure you can take care of minor injuries yourself if you don’t have anyone else to help.
You might find yourself feeling a little more reassured knowing you have a first aid kit with you as you hike, sail, or climb.
| Key Point: What to Include in Your First Aid Kit When the time comes to prepare your kit, be sure to include these items so that you can handle any small cuts or splinters yourself: • Antibacterial wipes • Pain relievers • Tweezers • Bandages • Gauze • Medical tape • A thermometer |
Pepper spray
This is perhaps a more obvious safety item, but it’s an important one nonetheless. Any solo female traveler should carry pepper spray with them in case of emergencies.
This is one of the easiest ways to defend yourself if someone attempts to attack you.
Typically, pepper spray will come in small bottles and cans that can be easily stored in your bag or pocket.
A safety whistle
A safety whistle is a practical safety item, as you can wear it around your neck when you’re out and about, giving you one less thing to carry. The concept behind a safety whistle is similar to that of a personal alarm.
When you use the whistle, the idea is that it will deter someone from attacking you and/or stealing your belongings. It can also draw attention to your situation if need be.
The Ultimate Travel Safety Partner for Women on the Move
Now that we’ve covered all the essentials you need to pack, we have one more thing to enhance your safety while traveling solo: Aster’s mobile app.
Designed for women by women, we’ve created this app to keep you safe no matter where you are so you can travel the world with peace of mind. Simply sliding a widget on your home screen can alert emergency services if you are in a dangerous situation. You can also set up emergency contacts who will be notified if you activate the app.
In addition, there’s a smart timer you can use if you feel something unsafe is about to happen. Once you set the timer, you can either cancel it if you no longer feel you’re in danger or let it run out if you need help. If you don’t cancel the timer, emergency services are immediately notified.
Visit the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to download the Aster app.
