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THINGS TO ARRANGE BEFORE YOU GO
Your Itinerary. As much as possible, plan
to stay in larger hotels that have more elaborate security.
Safety experts recommend booking a room from the second to
seventh floors above ground level to deter easy entrance from
outside, but low enough for fire equipment to reach.
Because take-off and landing are the most dangerous times
of a flight, book non-stop flights when possible. When there
is a choice of airport or airline, ask your travel agent about
comparative safety records.
Legal Documents. Have your affairs at home
in order. If you leave a current will, insurance documents,
and power of attorney with your family or a friend, you can
feel secure about traveling and will be prepared for any emergency
that may arise while you are away. If you have minor children,
consider making guardianship arrangements for them.
Credit. Make a note of the credit limit on
each credit card that you bring. Make certain not to charge
over that amount on your trip. In some countries, Americans
have been arrested for innocently exceeding their credit limit.
Ask your credit card company how to report the loss of your
card from abroad. 800 numbers do not work from abroad, but
your company should have a number that you can call while
you are overseas.
Insurance. Find out if your personal property
insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. More importantly,
check if your health insurance covers you abroad. Medicare
and Medicaid do not provide payment for medical care outside
the U.S. Even if your health insurance will reimburse you
for medical care that you pay for abroad, normal health insurance
does not pay for medical evacuation from a remote area or
from a country where medical facilities are inadequate. Consider
purchasing one of the short-term health and emergency assistance
policies designed for travelers. Also, make sure that the
plan you purchase includes medical evacuation in the event
of an accident or serious illness.
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE TRAVELING
Safety On The Street
Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would
at home. Be especially cautious in or avoid areas where you
are likely to be victimized. These include crowded subways,
train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals
and marginal areas of cities.
Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly-lit streets.
Try not to travel alone at night.
Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
Keep a low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments.
Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with
strangers.
Avoid scam artists. Beware of strangers who approach you,
offering bargains or to be your guide.
Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who
will:
-- jostle you,
-- ask you for directions or the time,
-- point to something spilled on your clothing,
-- or distract you by creating a disturbance.
A child or even a woman carrying a baby can be a pickpocket.
Beware of groups of vagrant children who create a distraction
while picking your pocket.
Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and
walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse
snatchers.
Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you
are lost, act as if you know where you are going. When possible,
ask directions only from individuals in authority.
Know how to use a pay telephone and have the proper change
or token on hand.
Learn a few phrases in the local language so you can signal
your need for help, the police, or a doctor. Make a note of
emergency telephone numbers you may need: police, fire, your
hotel, and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you are confronted, don't fight back. Give up your valuables.
Your money and passport can be replaced, but you cannot.
Safety In Your Hotel
Keep your hotel door locked at all times. Meet visitors
in the lobby.
Do not leave money and other valuables in your hotel room
while you are out. Use the hotel safe.
Let someone know when you expect to return if you are out
late at night.
If you are alone, do not get on an elevator if there is
a suspicious-looking person inside.
Read the fire safety instructions in your hotel room. Know
how to report a fire. Be sure you know where the nearest fire
exit and alternate exits are located. Count the doors between
your room and the nearest exit. This could be a life-saver
if you have to crawl through a smoke-filled corridor.
Safety On Public Transportation
If a country has a pattern of tourists being targeted by
criminals on public transport, that information is mentioned
in the Consular Information Sheets under the "Crime Information"
section.
Taxis. Only take taxis clearly identified
with official markings. Beware of unmarked cabs.
Trains. Well organized, systematic robbery
of passengers on trains along popular tourists routes is a
serious problem. It is more common at night and especially
on overnight trains.
If you see your way being blocked by a stranger and another
person is very close to you from behind, move away. This can
happen in the corridor of the train or on the platform or
station.
Do not accept food or drink from strangers. Criminals have
been known to drug food or drink offered to passengers. Criminals
may also spray sleeping gas in train compartments.
Where possible, lock your compartment. If it cannot be locked
securely, take turns sleeping in shifts with your traveling
companions. If that is not possible, stay awake. If you must
sleep unprotected, tie down your luggage, strap your valuables
to you and sleep on top of them as much as possible.
Do not be afraid to alert authorities if you feel threatened
in any way. Extra police are often assigned to ride trains
on routes where crime is a serious problem.
Buses. The same type of criminal activity
found on trains can be found on public buses on popular tourist
routes. For example, tourists have been drugged and robbed
while sleeping on buses or in bus stations. In some countries
whole bus loads of passengers have been held up and robbed
by gangs of bandits.
Safety When You Drive
When you rent a car, don't go for the exotic;
choose a type commonly available locally. Where possible,
ask that markings that identify it as a rental car be removed.
Make certain it is in good repair. If available, choose a
car with universal door locks and power windows, features
that give the driver better control of access to the car.
An air conditioner, when available, is also a safety feature,
allowing you to drive with windows closed. Thieves can and
do snatch purses through open windows of moving cars.
Keep car doors locked at all times. Wear seat belts.
As much as possible, avoid driving at night.
Don't leave valuables in the car. If you must carry things
with you, keep them out of sight locked in the trunk.
Don't park your car on the street overnight. If the hotel
or municipality does not have a parking garage or other secure
area, select a well-lit area.
Never pick up hitchhikers.
Don't get out of the car if there are suspicious looking
individuals nearby. Drive away.
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