Safety
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Never put keys in checked luggage.
Bags may be lost in transit or delayed.
one person who lived it
Ignore invitations from strangers on the street to enter their bars.
They may use scams such as providing 'free' drinks that result in huge bills.
one person who lived it
Avoid bars in Japan's red-light districts.
Staff may force you to pay inflated prices for their drinks and threaten physical harm if you refuse.
one person who lived it
Be wary of hosts who may bait guests past refund windows during emergencies.
The platform may stand by the host in these situations.
one person who lived it
Record a video walkthrough of the rental unit before leaving to document its condition.
It can help avoid being scammed or absolve you of wrongdoing if disputes arise.
- Metadata like timestamps can be altered.
- Send photos/videos via the platform's messenger service to lock in unalterable receipt times.
2 people, independently
- Document the condition of an Airbnb rental with photos and video immediately upon arrival and again before departure to protect against false damage claims.2
rental, video, provides, property25
Use Google Earth Street View to inspect the area outside the rental before booking.
Hosts may claim the area is safe when it is not; Street View provides a close indication of the neighborhood.
one person who lived it
Stop at fast food restaurants to charge your phone and check directions via Wi-Fi if you lack a power bank.
Restaurants typically have compatible outlets and Wi-Fi access.
- Only works in countries with compatible outlets.
one person who lived it
Report fraudulent or non-compliant rental owners to the platform and review sites; one report led to a host being removed in less than one week.
Platforms may remove offenders quickly upon reporting.
one person who lived it
Do not install interior cameras in your home if you do not want strangers to view the footage.
Many online cameras cloud-host video that is viewable by many people.
one person who lived it
21 more on this
Place luggage in the bathtub before unpacking to check for bed bugs, since they cannot climb porcelain surfaces.
Bed bugs cannot climb up porcelain.
one person who lived it
Stay safe and alert when exploring town centers during layovers.
Most town centers are safe during the day.
one person who lived it
Always carry plenty of water when exploring countryside side-tracks in Australia or New Zealand.
The countryside can be deadly if you are unprepared.
one person who lived it
Stop at trucker or travel stations for bathroom breaks and safety during solo night driving.
They are usually clean, active, and staffed by friendly people.
one person who lived it
Change your password immediately if a streaming service lacks a remote sign-out option.
This forces a logout on all devices.
one person who lived it
Film the interior, trunk, and wheels of a rental car, pausing on every imperfection.
Rental companies often try to charge for scratches there.
one person who lived it
Carry a slim, lightweight power bank for daily use and a heavier, higher-capacity one for extended needs.
The smaller one is compact enough for everyday carry, while the larger one handles laptops but weighs too much for daily use.
one person who lived it
Check the EXIF data of photos provided by hosts to verify when and where images were taken.
This helps detect scams involving fake or outdated photos.
one person who lived it
Do not attempt to rescue a kangaroo in water.
Kangaroos are great swimmers and are most likely not drowning.
one person who lived it
Take timestamped photos or videos of rental cars before and after use to prevent false damage claims.
Timestamped evidence sent to claim agencies can resolve false claims.
one person who lived it
Attach a visible marker, like a ribbon tied to a large stuffed animal, to your portable streaming device so you remember to pack it.
If the device is out of sight, making it visible ensures you don't forget it.
one person who lived it
Consider working as an Airbnb cleaner to earn extra cash.
It provides income.
- The work involves cleaning up bodily fluids and stains.
one person who lived it
Avoid Bed and Breakfasts if you are an introvert who dislikes forced mingling.
forced mingling is not pleasant for introverts
one person who lived it
Leave a rental property immaculately clean and with dishes washed; one person received a discount for returning because they did this.
It may make you welcome back at a discount.
one person who lived it
Record a narrated video with time and date stamps when documenting property.
to avoid surprises
one person who lived it
Wear headphones with the music turned off to deter approaches while maintaining situational awareness.
It signals you are ignoring someone without escalating conflict, as they cannot tell if you heard them.
one person who lived it
Install keypad locks on doors to control access without physical keys.
You can change the code periodically for security, avoid losing keys, and prevent renters from copying them.
one person who lived it
Turn off all light sources in each room one by one and look for small, typically red, indicator lights that suggest an operating camera.
Hidden cameras are stupidly common
one person who lived it
Slow way down when encountering patches of freshly cut grass to avoid wiping out.
one person who lived it
Rent a secure storage locker (fenced, gated, with cameras and alarms) for vehicles like trailers or vans when stopping at a hotel.
It provides a safer alternative to leaving valuables in the vehicle.
one person who lived it
Inform neighbors about upcoming Airbnb stays to prevent unnecessary police calls and encourage them to report suspicious activity like parties.
Neighbors are less likely to call the police unnecessarily and more likely to report issues like house parties immediately.
one person who lived it
If a local warns that an area is unsafe, assume it is twice as dangerous for you as a visitor.
one person who lived it
Do not seek out drugs or prostitutes in Thailand.
Avoiding these activities helps ensure you stay fine.
one person who lived it
Do not attempt to buy drugs in countries known for harsh prosecution.
one person who lived it
Search YouTube for '[location] SCAM' to identify current scams before visiting.
Videos provide warnings about active scams, such as being charged for items like wet napkins.
one person who lived it
4 more on this
Consider that negative hype about Koh Tao Island may be exaggerated.
Some concerns stem from YouTube videos rather than broader reality, and Thailand has many other lovely places.
one person who lived it
Be aware that Airbnb listings may be staged to look good in photos but are dysfunctional or uncomfortable in reality.
- Listings may use laminate walls, stiff beds, or cardboard demo couches.
2 people, independently
Avoid stopping in random inner-city exits in unfamiliar areas, especially in the South.
One person reported their scariest experiences occurred when stopping at random inner city exits in places like Atlanta, Chattanooga, or Los Angeles.
one person who lived it
Consider that short-term rentals like Airbnb can negatively impact local communities and housing markets.
one person who lived it