This post was specifically requested by my friend, Michelle, knowing how lax I am on taking safety precautions. Myself, included, safety is really important both as a solo female traveler, but also for any kind of travelling and especially for nomadic lifestyles!
There are a few good rules of thumb to keep in mind. They are:
- Know Your Surroundings
- Stay Aware and Avoid Distractions
- Trust Your Instincts
No matter where you are, its good to keep an eye on what’s around you. This can help you plan an exit route, find hiding places, and prevent you from getting lost. It’s also a good rule of thumb to be present and avoid distractions. You won’t hear someone (or something) coming up on you if you’re listening to music on headphones or are otherwise distracted. Finally, trust your instincts! If you feel uncomfortable, its a good idea to assess why and probably remove yourself from the situation.
And because I’m a liberal feminist who knows the statistics: don’t be a rapist.
Now that the basics are out there, lets talk specifically how they can impact our safety when traveling.
Let Someone Know Where You Are
This is probably the easiest thing you can do as a solo traveler! It was the first thing I did when I started my van life journey and I started being out and about alone more often. I simply just turned on my location on Snapchat for one friend. When I start sleeping in my van and traveling regularly, I plan on bumping that number up to a few more trusted friends.
There’s a variety of apps that you can do this with, including Google Maps. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger also have this functionality. These are great options for someone who doesn’t want to download even more apps. If you’re looking for something with even more functionality, Life360 is a really popular app specifically location sharing. You can also check in or create an SOS with Life360.
If you enjoy being off-grid (as many of us do), there are still options to allow you to keep in touch in case of emergency. Garmin makes some satellite communicators that will make sure you can stay connected, even when you’re out of cell range.
Choose Your Campsite Carefully
Whether its an off-grid campsite, a pull off on the side of the road, or anywhere you may find yourself, just remember to be intentional about where you’re parking your rig. Its good to get a feel for the area you’re staying in – what and who is around you. If you get any bad feelings about the area or the people- safety first – its better to not chance it.
It can also be beneficial to park in a way in which you don’t have to maneuver out of a parking spot. If you can just drive away without having to reverse, you can save valuable time.
Put Cameras Around Your Rig
This is a really handy way to create security on the road, both when you’re in your rig or away from it. This is your house and just like a stationary house, you can cover your both your living area and your front door with a camera. Security cameras come in all types, so there’s something for everyone. As for me, I have a dash cam for the road, one camera on the interior, and one camera on the exterior.
Lock Your Doors
This is no surprise to anyone, but its important to lock your doors whenever you’re out and about. Its especially important if you’re sleeping in your vehicle. The saying goes that locks and windows only keep honest people out, but honestly, this can at least slow someone down. It will also cause more of a ruckus than if the door to your van is just open.
When you’re sleeping inside your rig, there’s a cool seatbelt hack you might have seen on social media. It involves threading your seatbelt through the handle of the door and buckling it. If you’re out and about, investing in a steering wheel lock could help prevent someone from stealing your rig and everything inside of it.
That’s a few easy things you can do that might really make a difference to your safety. And don’t forget about bears – they’ll break into your car for yummies, too!
Keep Your Keys Close
This is one I’ve heard from multiple vanlifers – keep your keys nearby when you sleep. It’s some good, practical advice that can help you leave immediately if you find yourself in a bad situation. This is certainly one of those “trust your instincts” moments. If something feels off and you’re questioning if there’s someone lurking around your rig in the dark, better to at least fire up your vehicle and hit the headlights than be a sitting duck. Also a good idea to keep your phone charged and nearby, just in case you need to dial 911.
It’s also a good idea to be able to easily access your drivers seat for this reason. Yes, vans can be tight but keeping clutter out of your path can be super helpful!
Be Able to Use the Bathroom Inside Your Van
Everyone has different reasonings behind how they’ve designed their rig. Many of us, however, (especially us solo female travelers) can benefit from having a place inside our van where we can take a quick squat to pee. This prevents you from having to travel out into the dark to find a spot to use the bathroom. This can aid in both comfort and safety.
Your bathroom set-up doesn’t have to be extravagant, either! A simple bucket can do (and I would most certainly recommend a bag to line it with). It doesn’t need to be a permanent fixture, just an “in case” you can’t wait until morning. Pee funnels and a jar can also work in a pinch – point being, be prepared!
Be Prepared to Defend Yourself
No one wants to have to engage with an intruder, but if its necessary, its important to be prepared! Prepare yourself mentally for what to do in a situation in which you need to defend yourself and you’ll be more able to take action if the time comes. Also plan physically what you’ll need to do or have on hand. Self-defense courses can be extremely valuable for both mental and physical preparedness. If a course isn’t really your M.O., you can also utilize options such as bear spray, pepper spray, a makeshift weapon, or a weapon of your choice. Do your research and do what feels right for you – a gun isn’t going to help you in a self-defense situation if you’re too afraid to use it!
Whether you’re a solo female travel or not, these tips can help bring peace of mind and keep you safe when you’re out recreating. Stay safe and have fun out there!
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