Senior Travel - Travel Safety

As you plan your next vacation, remember to keep your home secure while you're away. Our home security tips will help you protect your home from thieves and burglars. Find out more about keeping your home safe while you are on vacation.

If your travel itinerary includes a stop in the Midwestern or Southeastern US, particularly during the spring and summer months, take a moment to learn how to stay safe during a tornado. Find out how to prepare for a tornado while you are on vacation.

If your travels will take you to the eastern seaboard or Gulf Coast of the United States or to the Caribbean Sea during "hurricane season," you may wish to create a hurricane plan for yourself and your family. Find out how to stay safe during a hurricane when you are far from home.

If your travel plans include a road trip, particularly in a foreign country, take some time to learn about the latest carjacking and theft scams before you leave home. Our simple road trip safety tips will help you keep your valuables safe during your driving vacation.

Many travelers wonder whether it is safe to travel in Mexico. Find out about the latest US State Department Mexico travel alerts and about security information for travel to Mexico.

If you are a US citizen planning to travel outside the country, consider registering your trip via the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Registering your trip will help the State Department find and assist you if an emergency occurs. Learn how to register your trip using the State Department's STEP process.

Drivers in the US and Canada often read warnings about driving safety and deer, particularly during the fall foliage season. Take deer and moose warnings seriously. Hitting deer or moose with your car can kill you, cause serious injury and smash up your vehicle. If you plan to visit a state or province known for its herds of deer or moose,...

As accident and traffic incident statistics climb, nations, states and provinces are taking steps to reduce distracted driving due to cell phone...

Keeping your money and travel documents safe should be a top priority when you travel. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than a close encounter with a pickpocket. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your travel money and passport safe when you're on vacation. Here are some of my family's favorites.

Hitting the road? Don't forget to pack emergency supplies for your trip. Prepare for a roadside disaster before it happens with our list of emergency supplies

Distracted driving is a serious problem in the US. Each year, hundreds of people are killed or injured in distracted driving accidents. If you...

Nearly all of Canada's provinces have outlawed using a handheld cell phone while driving. Sending and receiving text messages while driving is...

Many countries in Europe have banned use of hand-held cell phones while driving. In most, you can use a cell phone with a hands-free device. ...

If you're planning a trip abroad, it's always a good idea to find out about local conditions and international travel safety problems before you leave home. The U.S. Department of State, Canada's Bureau of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office all publish useful international travel safety information. Find out how to research safety issues before you book your next trip.

Hiring a house sitter is a good way to make sure your home remains safe during your absence. Leaving your home unoccupied may be less expensive in the short term, but you might just return from your trip to discover a leaky pipe, dead lawn or other costly issue. Find out whether hiring a house sitter during your next vacation is a good option...

Pickpockets can be a problem wherever you travel. Find out how to protect your valuables and convince pickpockets that you're not worth bothering.

Pirate attacks on cruise ships and cargo ships are becoming more frequent. Find out which waters are known for pirate attacks and learn how to get information on recent piracy activity.

Is falling overboard really a cruise ship safety risk? Find out about cruise ship safety requirements and find out which actions put you at risk of falling overboard.

If you are traveling to an earthquake-prone region, you should be prepared in case disaster strikes. Find out how to prepare for an earthquake when you're away from home and learn what to do if an earthquake occurs.

If your travels take you to a coastal area, particularly near the Pacific ocean, you need to know what to do if a tsunami watch or warning is issued. Find out how to stay safe during a tsunami.

Find out how to stay safe on your cruise vacation, both while you're at sea and when you're in port.

Charlyn Keating Chisholm, About.com's Guide to Hotels, discusses ways to stay safe in your hotel room.

Helpguide.org has compiled a list of senior driving tips, covering everything from choosing a safe car to backing up properly.

Find out how to stay safe while flying from Arlene Fleming, About.com's Guide to Air Travel.

Distracted driving is serious problem in both Australia and New Zealand. If you plan to use a cell phone on your next trip, you should research distracted driving laws before you travel. Find out about Australia and New Zealand's distracted driving laws and see whether you can use your type of cell phones while driving there.

Many cruise passengers worry about the lifeboat drill, thinking they will spend hours standing around wearing bulky life jackets. If all cruise passengers understand what to expect during the passenger muster drill and do what they are told, the process will not take very long at all. Find out what happens at a lifeboat drill, who must attend...