Today, it’s quite common to have to go out of town on business, and in many cases this involves either driving to other cities or taking a plane and then getting a rental car to drive to business meetings and any conferences, professional associations, and other business events which are part of the trip.
If you travel for work often, especially, you may face a number of risks when driving. Not only do you need to be concerned about car accidents with rental cars or when spending long periods of time on the road, but you also need to consider personal safety when you are in hotels or in unfamiliar destinations. You need to consider how to prevent theft and other dangers.
There are few ways you can stay safer:
- Be wary about what you share with others: Avoid posting about your trip ahead of time on social media. This will ensure people don’t know that your home is unoccupied or that you’re away. This can make you less of a risk for home invasions and burglary.
- Stay in a reputable hotel: Always do due diligence before staying at a hotel or tourist accommodation. Where possible, stay at a hotel with a good security system and safety measures. Before booking, contact the hotel and ask about their safety features and security measures. They should be happy to share these with you and they should be substantial.
- Know how to get to your destination: Have your itinerary printed out and make sure you have detailed directions on how to get to every destination. The last thing you want to do is to be lost in an unfamiliar city or be wandering around trying to find your way. Before you travel, do research about your destination so you understand the safety risks.
- Trust your instincts: If you’re travelling and something feels off or unsafe, get to safety. Very often, people who are travelling on business don’t want to offend or seem reactive, but your safety is more important than whether someone will misinterpret your behavior.
- Use technology: Keep a cell phone charged up and near you when you travel and consider using check-in times with friends and family so they know you are safe. If you are traveling to a destination where safety is a concern, you may want a panic button or may want to contact personal security company for added support.
- Secure your hotel room: When checking into a hotel, make sure you cover up the peephole of your door to prevent anyone looking in. Check to make sure doors and windows are secured and sturdy. Ask to switch rooms if they are not. Try to avoid staying on the first floor or in rooms where your window is easily accessible to others.
If you have been injured when traveling on business, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Homestead car accident injury attorney. Our team has more than six decades of combined experience to put on your case.