Staying safe on the road is a mixture of luck and common sense. There's not that much you can do about the luck, but there is plenty you can do about the common sense!

There are several situations or locations that should trigger caution: checking into a hotel, securing your belongings, or socializing with men.

One of the weakest links in our safety as we travel is our hotel room. Checking in is easy and most times hotels are perfectly safe - a few simple precautions will help keep them that way:

• Get a room you can't reach from the street - it'll make it harder for anyone trying to get in.
• If you're near street level or if you have a balcony, lock your windows at night.
• Keep your room door locked when you're in your room - you'd be surprised how many people forget to do this.
• Never open your door unless you know for sure who's behind it.
• Memorize the whereabouts of the fire exit and sleep with a flashlight next to you (I usually keep it in my shoe - chances are I'll slip my shoes on before leaving my room).
• If you're traveling on your own, don't let everyone know - tag along with a group leaving the hotel.
• Finally, always take the hotel's card with you - in some cities, you can easily get lost!

Another concern when we travel is taking care of our belongings. No precaution is foolproof, but a bit of care will make sure you hang on to your things.

Here's the first rule of thumb: don't take it with you if you can't afford to lose it.

That said, there are some things you can do to minimize the chances of losing anything:

• Keep your eye on your luggage when you check in, especially if there are crowds around.
• Keep your valuables in your room or hotel safe.
• When you're out, wear a money belt. Do NOT carry your wallet or papers in a shoulder bag or day pack.
• Put your things away - don't tempt someone who catches a glimpse of your laptop through an open door.
• Leave your radio on when you leave the room. It's dissuasive - people will think you're still in there.
• Don't show anything off. Thieves and pickpockets are on the lookout for nice jewelry and expensive electronic gadgets.

It's not just about your room or your belongings - it's about your peace of mind and your personal safety. In many countries, attitudes towards women differ from those we might be accustomed to. If these become too intrusive, you might feel threatened, less safe.

Make sure you research your destination's culture well before you go. In countries where culture is radically different or where women have few rights, you'll only attract attention if you behave differently, for example by wearing revealing clothes or looking men in the eye (wear sunglasses!).

Where cultures treat women slightly different from men but not overly so--for example around the Mediterranean--there tends to be ongoing low-level harassment, such as catcalls or whistles. These aren't harmful, but they can be unnerving if you're not used to them. Just ignore them. The slightest attention, including anger or irritation, will be seen as encouragement. In these countries it's also a good idea not to flirt with men - what to you is a harmless flirt to a man may mean you're ready to jump into bed with him.

Wherever you are, don't walk alone at night or invite a man to your room. And please beware of drugs and alcohol with men you don't know - with anyone, in fact, because this is when you're most vulnerable. This is just common sense - the same common sense you would use back home.

The best thing to do if you feel threatened? Head for a group of women. They know how to deal with men in their culture.

There's nothing unsafe about travel. It's no more and no less safe than cruising around your hometown. It's our attitude that changes - our wonder and curiosity are unfortunately exploited all too easily, but they don't have to be. Just travel smart to travel safe. ■

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Leyla Giray is a development professional and former journalist. She publishes the imaginative and offbeat website, Women on the Road, for women who love to travel on their own.

Leyla was born in Paris but left town (with her parents) when she was five weeks old. She hasn't stopped traveling since. A few years ago, she quit her job for a one-way ticket to Cape Town. She returned home - which is Eastern France these days - after three years of solo backpacking across 45 countries. But who's counting.