Travel Safely

Travel Safely


Whether you plan a spur-of-the-moment jaunt, or a well-executed group vacation, travelers need to consider the quality of their efforts as well as the focal point.

You may be bound by car, bus, train, plane or ship, but there are some general rules that can make it safer overall. They cover domestic pointers-and many for foreign travel, particularly in cities, where it's generally less safe.

If you are traveling by a vehicle you control--car or motorcycle--handling routine maintenance as well as mechanized prepping for a trip is a given. But, regardless of travel means, read on for some important points for lodgings, money safety, and overall knowledge to make your trip less risky and more enjoyable.

Instructions

Step 1 General Info
Think in depth about safety, and make a personal plan. In fact, have a Plan A and a Plan B. You can never be too prepared for the "what if's."

Be alert to your surroundings and the potential agenda of others.

Avoid shadowy places or murky environs where people could ambush you or rob you. Travel with less; it means less to keep track of and less than can be stolen. Do not "show off" expensive cameras, designer items or other expensive possessions or be seen carrying these things to a hotel room. They can be easily pawned--probably before you even know they are missing.

Mark all property effectively. Do not leave it in parked cars or within sight in hotel rooms. Travel with items of lesser value, and inquire about safes in rooms or at the front desk. Beware of "safes" if it is not a top-notch hotel; sometimes checks can be removed from the middle of a pack and go unnoticed, or credit cards can be "borrowed" for a shopping spree for a few hours, then replaced and you may not realize it until you get the bills at home.

From among family and friends, create a network of contacts that can offer advice or help when you are faced with an emergency. Carry their numbers or email info for anytime/anywhere.

Watch your property. Packing in a condensed manner will give you fewer pieces to keep track of. Consider shipping some items home (read: souvenirs packed in dirty laundry; it also gives you extra time to get home and unpack before the shipment arrives and you have to wash dirty clothes!) to create fewer, or lighter bags.

Experts suggest you make copies of all your paperwork, from passport photo page to plane tickets and driver's license to travelers check receipts and visas. Leave one copy at home (and able to be FAXed), and the other copies in different places within your luggage. Carrying a copy of your birth certificate can help you get a new passport en route. Also, take photos of all jewelry you take with you on the trip.

Keep another list in your papers listing your insurance and bank numbers, Social Security info, numbers for credit cards, and camera serial number. Carry a pocket-sized address book, and leave your primary one at home.

Trust your instincts and don't get so caught up with hustle and bustle that you are not aware of little hints that can tip you off as to the agenda of unsavory individuals.


Step 2 Money Issues
The smartest travel suggestion for valuables is simple: Don't let them out of your sight. Group your money, extra keys, extra passport pix, passport, credit cards and other important documents in a pouch that can be worn under clothing in a secure manner. Wear the pouch in the front of you.

But don't let that stop you! Sleep with the pouch (inside the pillowcase-and don't forget it!), and take it with you when you shower or use the bathroom (conceal it under a nearby towel). If you have to access the pouch in a public place, make sure you change where you keep it afterward, in case some unsavory person commits knowledge of its location to memory.

Hide a smaller cache of cash and travelers checks in more places, in case the main money is taken or lost.

Also, keep money you expect to use daily in a front accessed wallet or money clip. If you place it in a pocket, sew some Velcro or a snap to the pocket to discourage pickpockets, or add a waist-height pocket to a shirt. Do not place irreplaceable items, such as phone numbers or family photos in this area.

Cutting purse straps is another method of effortlessly stealing your treasures, but if you shore them up with heavy-duty wire, straps are less easy to break or cut. If you carry items in a backpack, do NOT carry your passport, money, or camera. The latest trend is to slash packs or rear pants pockets, and wait for the items to fall out as crooks follow you. Experts suggest you use a bulky item in the pack's bottom (sweater or towel) to prevent the rain of goodies, and that you wear the pack front-wards on crowded transit.

Consider a waist bag for your camera, or rig a backpack that can be accessed without taking it off to reach your photo equipment. Use a lock on it, too.


Step 3 Cons and Stalkers
Transportation is a common way in which tourists get ripped off in foreign countries. Fake train engineers or conductors can abscond with baggage, and hangers-on at bus locations can easily ask for fares, and then slip off. Experts say make sure you get a ticket whenever you hand over money. Occasional transport offers the ride first before you pay; make sure you know which of these applies before riding! If you are charged more than the locals are, try and see if you can barter your way to a lower price; tourists are sometimes charged extra fees--simply because they are tourists.

When shopping, ask before eating or drinking how much something is, or you'll be apt to be gouged. Any chance for bartering goes out the window if you have already consumed a product.

The same goes for taking tourist photos at various attractions; in some places it's not allowed.

Count your change. Never lose sight of something you've bought as it is "wrapped." A switch can easily occur, even right in front of you. You can also be double-charged for credit card purchases; read your receipt before signing.

Don't jog alone, if you can avoid it. If you do, choose well-lit areas that are also well-traveled. Carry ID, a cell phone or change for a pay phone.

Be aware of security phones, departments, or other emergency contacts, such as public emergency or campus lights.

If you think someone is following you, change direction and seek out public gatherings. Beware that you can pick up "tails" in common touristy places, like hotels, airports, bus or train stations, or stores. As a tourist, you may be an easy mark.

Only accept bottled drinks, and watch them opened in front of you. Do not leave partially drunk glasses on the table, as they may easily be drugged. Entire groups have been drugged with free samples of either food or drinks, and smokes can be equally poisoned, especially if people are lured away to off-the-beaten-track locations.

Women in particular are sought out, both to buy items and for sexual come-ons. Learn to avoid eye contact, ignore, say "no" or move away quickly. Con artists will divert your attention, or schmooze their way into your life. Consider donning conservative attire/behavior to avoid being a stand-out in foreign locales. Be educated about the customs, and what is off-limits-like any type of photography.

Crooks operate best in chaotic areas. Pay attention. Don't be flummoxed by bustle.


Step 4 Hotel Safety
A word about hotels: Beware of those with people wandering the hallways, or where unsecured entry-ways invite loitering. Ask to see a room before taking it; then thoroughly examine the security in the room as well as any holes drilled through walls or artwork used to peep on guests. Take a heavy combination padlock along and use it.

Prefer a room with a door peephole, smoke detectors, fire sprinklers in the room and halls. Can the phone dial outside? Are halls, grounds and parking structures well-lit? Can the garage elevator also reach guest floors, and thus, make guests more vulnerable?

When arriving, stay with your luggage until it is all brought into the lobby with you. Avoid staying where clearly numbered room keys are left accessible to anyone near the front desk, or where casual passersby can see the number and charge things to it.

Sign in using a first initial and last name; single women should consider registering as Mr. and Mrs.; avoid having anyone know what room you are assigned. Make sure you receive the correct credit card back. Obtain two hotel business cards/matchbooks with the hotel name on it--one for your room, and one to carry on yourself while sightseeing--to know exactly where you are.

Ask for a room between the 4th and 6th floors. Rooms on higher levels can't be reached by most fire ladders. Ask for a room away from the parking lot if staying on a ground floor; settle for one facing an interior courtyard, if it's not available. Lodgings near elevators are considered safer; but they're also noisier.

Women should be escorted to rooms, which are then checked to make sure that no one is inside, that all windows/outside doors are locked, and that the room door closes securely. Females should also board elevators last and push the floor buttons last. They should stand next to the elevator panel. If attacked, push all floor buttons so the doors open continually.

Sleep in a hotel with a flashlight next to the bed. If the power goes out or a fire happens, it will save precious minutes orientating yourself to the surroundings.

Never leave your key in the lock when you're inside the room. It can be pushed out and land on a newspaper pushed under the door, then glided underneath to the hallway to gain room entry. Use a wedge behind a closed door--or in a bathroom when showering to provide extra security.


Step 5 Hotels, Deux
Always check out the peephole to see who is at the door. Don't automatically open to the reply, "Housekeeping," or "Room Service."

When out for the day, consider leaving the TV on. Have the bed made up during breakfast, then leave the Do Not Disturb sign on the rest of the day to give the impression someone is in the room. At night if out, leave a light on, with drapes partially open.

When leaving valuables behind, there is no sure-fire way to avoid theft; but some seasoned travelers use a security cable with valuables attached to permanent fixtures, like a sink.