Travel Tips for Your Safety
by Justin Tyme
Whether you are planning a domestic or international trip -- traveling by jet or simply
driving across the state -- there are some simple precautions you can take to help keep
you safe. Before you take off, take a few minutes to review these safety tips for staying
out of harm's way at hotels, airports, and on the street.
Recommended Link:
Holiday Safety: At the Top of Your List.
Before you go
- Don't publicize your travel plans -- limit knowledge to those who need to know.
- Ensure that your passport, if needed, is good for at least three or four months.
- Make sure visa(s) are appropriate and current for place and type of travel.
- Take only the credit cards and personal identification that you will actually need.
- Carry a driver's license from your state of residence with a photograph.
- Make a copy of your credit cards, traveler check numbers, and the telephone numbers
needed to report a theft. Keep the copy in a location separate from the documents.
- If possible, carry any required prescriptions in the original containers. Consider
carrying them on the plane instead of leaving them in your checked bags.
- Carry a list of blood type, allergies, or any special medical conditions. Medical alert
bracelets are a good idea.
- Hand carry any sensitive or proprietary information. Leave all expensive and unneeded
personal or professional property at home.
- Check with your medical insurance carrier about coverage away from your home and work.
Know coverage protection for out-of-country travel.
- Avoid a demanding schedule upon your arrival if you have traveled across many time
zones. Give yourself a chance to adjust to new surroundings.
Other Foreign Travel Considerations:
- Many foreign airports do not allow butane lighters or hair dryers to be taken on board.
Consider leaving them at home.
- For foreign travel, some airports charge hefty "take off" charges payable only
in local currency and only when you are preparing to leave the country. Be prepared!
- Most foreign airports are very serious about security. Be prepared to be questioned and
always answer customs' questions honestly.
- Do not exchange much currency before you enter your destination country. Exchange rates
in hotels are typically not very good. If you can, land in your destination country with
$50 or so of their currency for immediate expenses (bathrooms, taxis, porter charges,
etc.).
- Check your destination country's holidays. Usually public transportation, gas stations,
and grocery stores are not open on holidays.
- In most foreign countries, stores - including gas and grocery - close by 5:00 p.m. Be
prepared for the lack of "convenience stores".
Recommended Links:
Before you take off
- Make sure someone near your residence knows where to contact you in emergencies or is
authorized to make critical decisions regarding your residence.
- Make copies of your passport photo page; put a copy in your carry-on and leave a copy at
home.
- Check with your personal insurance carrier to see what coverage you may have on luggage
and contents.
- Make sure your luggage is tagged inside and out, but don't use your position or
affiliation.
- Check in early to avoid the last minute rush.
- DO NOT transport items for other people.
- NEVER leave your bags unattended -- anywhere! Portable computers are particularly
susceptible to theft, even at airport security checkpoints.
- Do not exchange items between bags while waiting for customs or security screening.
- At a transportation terminal, do not get involved in any disturbance.
- Dress casually when traveling to avoid attention; avoid showy jewelry.
- Locks on luggage are not secure; consider using a strip of nylon filament tape around
your suitcase. Never place extreme valuables in your checked luggage.
- Go directly to the gate or secure area after checking your luggage, and avoid waiting
rooms or shopping areas outside secure areas.
- Be alert at security checkpoints. Don't place belongings on conveyor until you can keep
an eye on items being screened.
- Do not place weapons or disabling chemical sprays in your bags.
- At many international airports, security and customs personnel will ask you questions
about your luggage. Know what you're carrying and be able to describe any electronics.
- Whenever possible, arrange to be met at your destination.
At your hotel
- Make your own hotel reservations, whenever possible, consistent with university policy.
- If traveling abroad in areas of concern, consider making reservations using your
university address, without identifying the university. Use your personal credit card.
- Be aware that credit card information may be compromised at hotels, car rentals, or
restaurants.
- In some foreign countries, your passport may be held by a hotel for copying or for
review by the police; retrieve it at the earliest possible time.
- In a hotel, try to secure a room between floors two and seven. Some fire departments may
not have the capability to rescue above the seventh floor.
- Always check for the nearest fire stairwells, hoses, and emergency telephones when
checking in to a hotel.
- Avoid hanging the "Please Clean Room" tag on your door. It is an obvious
signal that you are not in.
- Before allowing entry of hotel maintenance or other supposed hotel staff, verify with
the front desk.
- Do not leave sensitive information or documents in your hotel room. Hand carry and
personally protect your documents, as well as laptop computers and other valuables.
- Arrive as near the hotel entrance as possible and, if after dark, in a well-lit area.
- Do not linger or wander unnecessarily in parking lots, garages, or public spaces near
hotels.
- Stay with your luggage until it is brought into the lobby or placed in your taxi.
- Many foreign hotels consider the basement to be Floor #1 and the ground floor is Floor
#2. Remember this in emergencies.
We recommend the safety training video Hotel Safety Orientation: A Reality Check-In.
At your hotel, in case of fire
- Locate the nearest stairwell to your room.
- Locate the nearest house telephone to be used in an emergency.
- Remain calm and do not panic.
- Call the front desk and make sure they are aware of the fire and its exact location.
- Check your door by placing the palm of your hand on the door or the knob. If either
feels hot, do not open the door.
- Do not use an elevator if there is a fire.
- If you cannot leave your room or the stairwells are unsafe, notify the front desk that
you are in your room.
- Fill the tub and sink with water. Soak towels and blankets as necessary to block vents
and openings around doors to keep smoke and fumes out. A wet towel swung around the room
will help clear it of smoke.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth.
- Stay low but alert to any signs of rescue from the street or the halls. Let firefighters
know where you are by waving a towel or sheet out of the window.
We recommend the safety training video Hotel Safety Orientation: A Reality Check-In.
On the street
- Invest in a good map of the city you are visiting. Note significant points on the map
such as your hotel, the U. S. Embassy, and a local police station.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Look up and down the street before exiting a building.
- Learn how to place a local telephone call and how to use coin telephones. Make sure you
have extra tokens or coins for telephones.
- Ask the bellman, concierge, and front desk personnel regarding safe -- and not-so-safe
-- areas around the city to jog, dine, or sightsee. Be aware of local traffic regulations
and driving habits. Joggers have been seriously injured by failing to understand traffic
conditions.
- When you go out for recreation, be sure you carry identification and who to notify in an
emergency (especially while cycling, roller blading, jogging, or walking).
- Keep your passport with you at all times. Only relinquish it to the hotel if required by
law when registering, or if required to identify yourself to local authorities.
- Keep in mind that purse snatchers and briefcase thieves often work hotel bars and
restaurants. Keep your purse or briefcase in view or in hand.
- Be alert to scams involving an unknown person spilling a drink or food on your clothing;
an accomplice may be preparing to steal your wallet, purse, or briefcase.
- If you drive, make sure your driver's license is valid and familiarize yourself with
local traffic laws and patterns.
- If you drive, make sure you have valid insurance and emergency notification information.
- ATM cards work in most western European countries, but not in many eastern European,
African, or some Asian countries. If you attempt to use the card in a country that does
not accept it, the machine will not give it back.
Wherever you are
- Always be aware of the location of your closest exit.
- Always be alert for distractions that may be staged by pickpocketers, luggage thieves,
or purse snatchers.
- Consider wearing a money belt or other secure storage device; waist pouches are not
advised because potential thieves will know the location of your valuables.
- Keep briefcases and purses in view or in hand when using telephones. If you're using a
credit card, block the views of the key pad when entering the number.
- Be cautious when entering public restrooms.
- Carefully inspect any gifts received in a foreign country before packing for your
return.
You may use this article in your personal or business newletter, ezine or webpage as long as you give credit to Justin Tyme and provide a link to: Ideas and Training.