Rail Travel Safety Tips

Train travel is often considered as both comfortable and easier than road travel. Keep a few precautionary tips handy in order to sail through the train journey.   Food Do not buy food available at station vendors. The reason behind it is that you don’t know whether it was prepared under strict hygiene or if it is stale. You can have food provided in the train but always check the expiry dates on juice packs and snacks. If it carries an expiry date it is better that you raise an alarm or just don’t consume any of it. Suck on a mint, sweet or fennel seeds. For snacks keep some dry fruits, biscuits or roasted namkeen. You can also keep fresh fruits like oranges. And, for longer journeys you can always bring along some tossed idlis, lemon rice, pickle and chapatti or steamed rice which doesn’t spoil easily. Toilets While visiting toilets try maintaining your balance. Check for spilt food or water in and around the toilet seat. Always better if you flush and then relieve your bladder. Wash your hands after your visit to the toilet. Water Do not get off the train to quench your thirst.  The vendors at the station might sell local brands. In this way you will avoid any water borne illnesses. Carry bottled water with you and keep yourself hydrated. Comfort wear Wear lose cotton clothes. Carry a blanket or a shawl because air conditioning might make you shiver with cold. Use blankets or bedding provided in the train if you like. But if you’re too specific about hygiene, you can bring your own bedding or pillow. Wear flats or sports wears so that you feel light footed. A strict no-no to high-heels! Safety first To keep you baggages safe and secure carry a lock and chain. Bring a pad-lock and chain to fasten your luggage in your compartment. This way you won’t have to worry about it even if you nap. But don’t be too complacent either; keep a guard on your luggage. Beware of pickpockets. You’ll find them everywhere. Do not leave your baggage unattended. You might have found a traveling companion in your fellow traveller but who knows what’s up in their mind. Read   If you’re a voracious reader make sure you keep some fictions or non-fictions, depending on your taste.   Music   If you don’t like reading at all you can keep some good music in your phone or i-pods and travel musically. It will keep you away from monotony.   Sanitizer   Bring a sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes and toilet-paper. This will protect you from germs on the train.   Spare battery for mobile   Make sure you have a spare battery for your hand set. Upon reaching your destination yoiu might need your phonebook. If you can’t, then note down the most important numbers on a paper and make calls. If required, from local telephone booths.   Medications Carry some medicines to fight cold and flu like illnesses and stomach infection. Carry medical documents too and also keep your doctor’s phone number handy. If you want to go on a vacation the best arrangement for your pets is to hire a pet sitter just as a nanny who babysits. Alternately you can send your pets to pet homes which provide high quality care to the pets.