safety

Travel Tips

 

 

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Below please find suggestions to help make your trip a success.

 

  • Never list your home address on the luggage tag. Use your business address, or your local post office.
  • Stay with your luggage until your luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.
  • Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards and keep them in a separate area. If possible, travel with only one or two credit cards.
  • Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you’ll suddenly be “in the dark” and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.
  • Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.
  • Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings should be in easy view. Better yet: Leave your jewelry at home.
  • Keep an eye on your drinks at all times. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger.
  • Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.
  • Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hall way and not directly from the outside.
  • Do not use unmarked taxi cabs. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.
  • If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit, park only in well lit and well traveled areas.
  • If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.
  • If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.
  • If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event you should become separated from them. www.yoursafechild.com
  • Write your child’s name and the hotel you are at on each card; include a close friend’s or relative’s contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away.
  • Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home. Establish a meeting place if separated.
  • Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.
  • Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, Dramamine, Pepto-Bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.
  • Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternative plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.
  • Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.
  • Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.
  • Have tips ready in advance for service personnel. Consider renting an escort (security) service if traveling in areas where crime is high.
  • The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.

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