Statistically, you're pretty unlikely to die from unnatural causes when traveling abroad. According to the U.S. State Department, more than 56 million U.S. citizens boarded international flights in 2018, but just 724 died of unnatural causes while out of the country. Time reports motor vehicle and bus accidents claim the most Americans abroad, with other causes of unnatural deaths including drowning, suicide and terrorist actions. However, crime is also a concern in many areas of the world, with international tourists often finding themselves vulnerable as they navigate a new location and, potentially, an unfamiliar language. The following tips can help travelers stay safe abroad:
  • Keep valuable items, including your purse or any other bags, in front of you. This keeps them within your sight and grip, even as you may be distracted by the local sights.
  • Leave big ticket items, including jewelry and electronics, at home so you don't attract unwanted attention from thieves looking for targets.
  • Use caution when talking to strangers, and be slow to trust those you don't know with personal information. You also should not accept food or drink from strangers or follow them away from your destination.
  • Make sure you have proper travel insurance. While your health insurance might offer some coverage abroad, it's unlikely to be enough to cover major events. You'll also need to insure your belongings in case they are lost, stolen or damaged on your trip.
In the slideshow above, we'll take a look at 15 of the most dangerous tourist destinations around the globe according to Armormax, and what makes them risky choices for a getaway.

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Brittney Meredith-Miller

Brittney Meredith-Miller is assistant editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. She can be reached at [email protected].

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