| Travel
Safety - Issue 1
10
Tips for Travelers
by
Tyson Brooks
Intuition Rules:
Above all use common sense and listen to your intuition.
If something feels wrong be extra cautious. Do not allow
concerns for your safety and security to spoil your travel,
but be aware of things that might pose a risk and avoid
situations that make you unnecessarily vulnerable.
1.
Keep abreast of dangerous places based on the bulletins put
out by your country's department of state or foreign affairs.
Heed the information and warnings given by such government
bodies. See "before you go" for URL's and contact
information. Make a note of the phone number and address of
your embassy in each country or area you are traveling to
and give them a call to register when you are there. (This
is not necessary in developed countries such as the US and
Western Europe).
2.
Always lock and label your luggage. Label your luggage with
a leather or plastic baggage tag with a flap that hides
your name and address. Airline tags can be read while you
stand with your luggage, or too easily tear off: allowing
strangers to know your name and address. Consider using
your business address.
3.
Leave photocopies of all your important travel documents
such as air tickets, traveler's check numbers and credit/debit
cards at home with a trusted family member or friend. Make
copies for yourself and keep them separately from your documents.
4.
Always ensure someone knows your exact travel plans including
flights, rail departures etc. If your plans are flexible
or they change, update a designated person and make sure
they write all the information down.
5.
Be nondescript. Do not wear clothing that labels you. Be
unassuming in your choice of clothing and do not flaunt
wealth. Do not wear any jewelry other than a simple wedding
band. Even if you aren't married wearing a wedding band
will avoid unwanted attention.
6.
Do not carry laptops or cameras in expensive looking bags.
Be creative. If you are a woman use a padded diaper bag.
Use a money belt for carrying money and documents while
traveling. Do carry prescription medicine or other essentials
on your person in case you lose your luggage.
7.
Do not accept letters, parcels or gifts from strangers and
do not allow your luggage to sit unattended, even for a
moment. If you see unattended luggage in an airport, train,
or bus station report it.
8.
Carry a personal noise-making security device. Pepper spray
is not a good idea. It is legal within Canada and the US
but illegal to cross a border with. It is also illegal to
bring on planes. Children should be told to yell and scream
if they are in danger. Adults should do the same.
9.
For a small fee, many airports will shrink-wrap your bag
in plastic. This not only prevents tampering and theft but
also saves wear and tear on your luggage.
10
. To speed your way through security, do not carry anything
sharp in your handbags and have your cell phone and laptop
ready to fire up for the security agent. If you carry drinks
in your carryon, be prepared to take a swig. They could
be volatile liquids.
Before
you go be sure to visit:
In
the USA:
The
US Department of State
http://www.state.gov/
(202) 647-4000
In addition,
you can access Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings
and
Public
Announcements 24-hours a day in several ways. Telephone:
To listen to them, call (202) 647-5225 from a touchtone
phone. Fax: From your fax machine, dial (202) 647-3000,
using the handset as you would a regular telephone. The
system prompts you on how to proceed.
In
Canada:
Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
|
