Accidents cause 20% of all deaths among overseas travellers – the second most common cause after heart disease (68%) and the most common cause in people in their 20s and 30s. Yet most people worry far more about disease, which causes just 9% of deaths, or terrorism, which presents a negligible risk.
Accidents can occur through
- personal violence
- accidental injury
- road accidents
Personal violence
Most violence occurs through muggings or theft. The rate of such incidents varies throughout the world, but there are many cities in many countries where safety is an issue. It is important for travellers to take local advice about which areas of a city are safe.
Travellers should:
- be aware of anyone coming up in the street and starting a conversation
- keep valuables in a safe; if identification has to be carried, take a photocopy
- not wear expensive jewellery or carry valuable items such as mobile phones or laptops
- if accosted, hand over valuables rather than risk violence
- be cautious about taking food and drink from strangers it case it is spiked.
Road accidents
Accidents on the road are one of the riskiest aspects of travel abroad.
Travellers should:
- insist on wearing a seat belt when in a car
- ensure car seats available for children
- beware of driving in countries with poor traffic regulations such as Egypt and India
- avoid motorbikes as they are particularly dangerous – even in European countries such as Greece
- be careful at night on poorly lit or poorly maintained roads
- be obsessively careful when crossing roads, as zebra crossings are often ignored
- avoid alcohol if they decide to drive, but be aware that locals may not do so
- think road safety at all times.
Accidental injury
- Falls are a common cause of injury and are often associated with alcohol.
- Walking barefoot or in sandals increases the risk of foot injuries.
- In the UK there are 2 million accidents and 6,000 deaths each year in the home. Unfamiliar surroundings will increase these risks.
Common sense and caution are the keys to avoiding accidents. Accidents are far more of a risk abroad than less likely sources of danger such as terrorism or exotic diseases.
