Tips on Staying Safe

No doubt about it, traveling can be fun and awarding. It can
also be dangerous. That's why you should familiarize yourself
with ways to stay safe while on vacation.
Wherever you plan on traveling, whether for a quick getaway
or full vacation, it is important to remember that your and
your traveling companion's safety should always be first.
Planning holidays or travels is not just about planning which
places you should visit, but it is also about being prepared
for any problems which may occur.
We are providing the following travel safety tips so that
you're left with great travel memories, not nightmares. (We
also provide addition hotel
safety tips on another page of our website) Some of
the travel safety tips might seem obvious to you, such as
travel with only one or two credit cards, or using covered
luggage tags. But some might not be as obvious, such as
never using unmarked taxi cabs or including a flashlight in
your luggage.
33 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 guard.
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.
About the Author:
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
http://EzineArticles.com/?33-Travel-Safety-Tips&id=31670
Synonyms: Travell, trvel, travil, tavel, ravel, trave,
traval and travle are typos for "travel." Afety, asfety,
sfety, sfaety, saety, saefty, safty, saftey, safey, safeyt and
safet are typos for "safety."
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