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Travel Safety Tips
By Matthew Keegan
Traveling
to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles
you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery,
rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because
they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let's
examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from
becoming a tragedy:
1.
Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business,
put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you
can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.
2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you
must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.
3.
Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you
simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's
license and credit cards.
4.
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.
5.
Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly
and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription
medicines are forbidden.
6.
Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains,
expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia
should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.
7.
If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.
8.
Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger.
Keep an eye on your drink at all times.
9.
Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time
everyday.
10.
Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and
make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure
the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under
it.
11.
Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if
a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the
doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.
12.
Do not wear name tags in public.
13.
Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.
14.
Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see
you.
15.
Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you
are still sitting in the vehicle.
16.
If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company.
Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.
17.
Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.
18.
Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.
19.
Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.
20.
If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider
renting one that does for the duration of your trip.
21.
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.
22.
If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph
of each child in the event that you become separated from them.
23.
Write your child's name and your hotel number 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. Destroy once home.
24.
Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency
while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency
personnel, etc.
25.
Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal
information in public within earshot of strangers.
26.
Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito
repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol,
diarrhea medicine, etc.
27.
Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling.
Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation
plans change.
28.
Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important
documents to officials only.
29.
Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.
30.
Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults
are notorious as pickpockets.
31.
Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable
and recognized exchangers only.
32.
Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.
33.
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.
Matt
manages the Corporate Flight Attendant Community a comprehensive
resource center for business flight attendants who travel throughout
the world. You can visit the community at http://www.corporateflyer.net
or http://www.cabinmanagers.com
