Safety

Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad

From the Bureau of Consular Affairs

 

 

Here’s some helpful tips that we recommend one to take before or while traveling abroad in order to have a safe enjoyable trip.  Some of these steps might seem like common sense but you never know and it can’t hurt to familiarize yourself with these precautions before you take that trip to a foreign land that you are not used to.

Health

• Look up any illnesses of the country you are traveling to and make sure you’ve taken any necessary precautions
• Make sure you keep any medications you need in your personal bag, rather than checking them
• Find out if there are restrictions on any medical supplies you plan to bring and get a note from your doctor if necessary and always check with your airline to be sure
• Bring empty bottles of water to the airport than you can fill after you pass through security to avoid dehydration on a long flight
• Whenever possible stretch during long trips and before hauling heavy luggage

Theft

• Don’t let your luggage out of sight or ask anyone you don’t know to watch it for you. This may seem like a no-brainer, but plenty of people do it!
• Use concealed money holders
• Don’t leave magazines with your name and address on a plane because you never know who may be phishing for information
• If you’re going on a long trip don’t forget to secure your home
• Keep important documents on you, rather than in the overhead compartment. Passports are a common stolen item overseas
• Like anywhere else, always stay alert
• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• In case you are robbed, keep a small amount of traveler’s checks on your person or make sure you can access your bank account or you have someone who can send you cash

Getting Around Safely

• Travel in groups; if you’re planning a trip alone make sure you bring a cell phone you can use
• Share your itinerary with someone at home so they know where you’ll be and at what time
• Always have your fare ready whenever taking transportation or sightseeing
• Have a map to avoid getting lost, but don’t refer to it constantly, you’ll look like a tourist- so be sure to study it!
• Don’t over pack and end up stuck with too much to carry. It will be easier, quicker and safer to get around with less
• Don’t let your guard down just because you’re on vacation
• Don’t go anywhere alone or with someone you don’t know

Hotels

• Get to know the hotel staff, in case anything goes wrong, they will remember you
• Give your family and friends your hotel room number so they can contact you
• Ask that your room number is written down and handed to you rather than spoken aloud
• Don’t be afraid to decline a room if the clerk says your room number aloud
• Don’t use the housekeeping welcome sign to alert that you are not there -call housekeeping instead (most of the time they will knock anyway)
• Make sure you have the correct adapters for your electronics

Child Safety

• Make sure your child knows the address of the hotel you’re staying at and has the hotel’s card
• You and your child should use brightly colored luggage that’s easy to spot at the airport
• Make a checklist each morning of what they are wearing and learn to say it in the native language of the country you’re visiting
• Decide on a place to meet if you get separated (i.e. if you’re at the Louvre, decide to meet in front of the Mona Lisa)
• Take a picture of your kids every morning on your digital camera….just in case!