Travel safety

• TIPS BEFORE AND WHILE YOU ARE TRAVELLING

• BEFORE YOU GO Preparation is the key to your safety!!

• Prepare your resources – Copies of travel itinerary, phone numbers (emergency and otherwise), passport, agenda, flight numbers, travel agency, back-up plans, etc.
• Prepare a legal and medical Power of Attorney
• Designate an emergency contact person
• NOTE: Planning ahead is a critical factor in successfully dealing with a crisis.

• Before you go - Credit Cards

• Make a note of the credit limit on each credit card that you bring.
• Record and take with you the toll free phone numbers for each of your credit cards.
• You are required to have a Credit Card
• In some countries, Americans have been arrested for innocently exceeding their credit limit.

• Money

• Don’t carry large amounts of cash, but have reserve cash on your person, just in case.
• Use travelers checks or credit cards whenever possible.
• Record (encrypt?) serial numbers of travelers checks & credit card account info. Store this info safely – online?
• Leave copies of this information with parent or legal representative.

• Departing and Arriving - Luggage

• Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Do not identify your luggage with student tags, stickers, etc.
• Use luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity.
• If possible, lock your luggage after TSA inspection.

• Clothes

• Safety begins when you pack. Take only what you need.
• To avoid being a target, dress conservatively. Adjust to local customs & dress.
• A flashy wardrobe or one that is too casual can mark you as a tourist or foreign student.
• Keep back packs and book bags in hand at all times.

• In your room or hotel

• Keep doors locked at all times.
• Guard your key/keycard.
• Use auxiliary locking devices.
• Do not answer the door without knowing who is there. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and verify.

• Booking Hotels. As much as possible, plan to stay in larger hotels that have more elaborate security.
• Safety experts recommend booking or residing in a room from the second to seventh floors above ground level to deter easy entrance from outside, but low enough for fire equipment to reach.

• Elevators and Parking

• If you are alone, do not get on an elevator if there is a suspicious-looking person inside.
• If such a person enters while you’re alone in the elevator, get out on that same floor.
• Look around before entering parking lots or garages.

• Safety on the Street

• Carry your purse close to your body- don’t let it dangle.
• Carry your wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket.
• Carry only the cash and/or credit cards, ID’s, etc. that you need.
• Don’t flash your cash or jewelry.
• Use a credential pouch or belly money belt.
• A word on ID’s (keep in your possession) and Fake ID’s (Remove any fake identification in your possession).

• Safety on the street

• Learn about and be aware of your surroundings (360 Degree Awareness).
• Make sure everyone in your party knows the name and telephone number of the place that you are residing.
• Select sightseeing companies, guides and drivers carefully.
• Avoid scam artists.
• Be wary of strangers who approach…
• and offer you bargains that seem ‘too good to be true,’ or
• offer huge discounts or deals on tourist attractions tickets,
• offers to be a ‘tour guide’ or such.

• THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! HAVE A SAFE TRAVELLING!