5 Significant Tips for Staying Safe in a Big City

There’s something so exciting about visiting a big city, whether you’re headed to New York City, New Orleans, Paris, or some other big city of your choosing. However, as important as it is to have fun, it’s even more important to stay safe. You may plan on visiting for a weekend or heading there for college, but no matter the reason, there are some vital tips to follow if you want to stay safe. We listed out a few tips for staying safe in a big city that we think are the most important—check them out below!

Trust Your Gut

Using common sense and trusting your gut are some of the most important pieces of advice we can give you when it comes to big city living. If a person or a situation seems sketchy or makes you feel uncomfortable, follow that instinct. Your body has a way of letting you know things are going awry before your brain may even register it. Listen to your inner radar while traveling and always stray on the side of caution.

Always Stay Alert of Your Wallet/Purse

You’ll always want to guard your personal property when you’re out in a big city. If you have a backpack, hold tight to it in front of your body. When it comes to wallets and purses, there are a few different tips you can implement to keep your valuables safe. Especially when it comes to wandering the city, you need to make sure that you’re only carrying what you actually need for the day. The more you have, the more likely you’ll become a target. Keep wallets in your front pocket and purses tightly wrapped around you.

Stay in Public Areas

If you’re out with your friends for a night in the city, do the smart thing and only stay in public areas. Don’t follow your friend who says to take a shortcut through the alley, and don’t trust strangers. You may feel tempted to follow a friendly group of people down a street or into a closed-off area. But this is important—never follow someone to a private place alone. Thieves will take advantage of your limited knowledge, and staying in public will increase your chances of remaining safe.

Write Down Tech Serial Numbers

If you travel to a big city for college and have your laptop, phone, tablet, and other electronics, you need to make sure you’re keeping those safe. Before you head out, write down all the serial numbers for your electronics. This is helpful for the cases when someone steals your items and then tries to sell them to a pawn shop. It is a requirement that pawn shops write down serial numbers of purchased products, so you’ll be able to look them up if someone steals and sells your gear.

Delay Social Media Posts

Another essential tip for staying safe in a big city falls into the realm of social media usage. A lot of people in the high school and college realm become obsessed with their phones and sharing about what they’re doing all day, every day. Though this may not seem like a big deal, sharing your whereabouts on social media makes it easy for stalkers and prowlers to track you. So, don’t share your location until after you leave!

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