There are a few ways your family can reduce your chances of becoming victims of petty crime, particularly when you first arrive in your new destination:
One of the easiest ways to keep your family safe on expat assignment is by getting any required vaccinations in good time. Many vaccinations require several weeks or months to take effect. If you don’t need any specific vaccinations for the destination you are travelling to, it is good to have a checkup with your family physician anyway and for everyone to get a tetanus boost. Also ensure your family has the expat health insurance cover needed to access the best available medical care in your new home.
While you want to identify potential risks to your children, avoid scaring them. Although media coverage can lead us to believe some countries are less safe than others, don’t let this worry you too much or lull you into a false sense of security when it comes to expat life. Instead, take reasonable safety precautions while also enjoying this wonderful experience with your family.