COMMON SENSE KEEPS TRAVELERS SAFE, LOCAL EXPERT SAYS
To travelers away from home, it may truly look like a jungle out there.
We hear stories of ransacked luggage, tourists being robbed and vacationers being gunned down on the highway. It's enough to make you want to hide at home behind locked doors.
However, leaving home doesn't have to mean leaving your sense of security behind. Whether you're traveling to the ends of the earth, or just taking a quick road trip to the next town, it pays to be careful. As long as you bring some common sense, staying safe can be simple.
There are many traveling tricks that can help keep your trip from turning into a disaster. Most important is disguising yourself so you don't look like a tourist. Don't advertise the
fact that you're carrying cash by wearing an exposed money belt, or keep baggage or souvenirs where they're visible from outside your car. Tourists in Florida, responding to last year's
incidents, are even stripping rental stickers from their vehicles to avoid being pegged as foreigners.
Common sense also dictates that danger dwells in high-risk urban areas - and tends to come out after dark. If you're traveling to a large city, brief yourself on high-crime areas - or ask hotel
staff - and then avoid them altogether. Plan to arrive at your destination during daylight hours, and always use the main entrance when you are returning to your hotel after dark. If you
feel uncomfortable in any situation, play it safe and leave.
Safe travel also requires you to trust your instincts. However, when it comes to trusting others, it's a good idea to think before you act. If you see someone signaling for help on a highway, for example, resist the impulse to play Good Samaritan. Instead, drive to the nearest well-lit public area and call the police. Better yet, rent a car phone and that way you have an opportunity to call for help if you need it.
Police are your best bet if you're lost in an unfamiliar city, rather than stopping to ask a pedestrian for directions. If no police are within view, find a hotel doorman or go to a well-lit public place to read your map or ask for help. Police in many cities will also stop to assist you if you pull in behind
their vehicle and flash your headlights.
Although you may not think twice about answering a knock at your door in your home town, don't open your hotel room door to anyone without first verifying who it is. If the visitor is a hotel employee, he or she won't be offended if you make a quick call to reception. It's best to confirm that someone needs access to your room.
Some of the most important road pointers are also things you should remember to do at home. Criminals don't like attention, so sound your horn if someone suspicious approaches your vehicle
at a stoplight.
Don't get in your car without taking a good look inside. Park in well-lit areas, and avoid leaving an extra set of car keys in a "secret" place in your vehicle - you'll never fool a car thief.
With these tips on safety pointing out the potential perils of travel, you may be tempted to skip the trip and stay home. With practice, however, remembering to take good care of yourself becomes second nature and can recede to the background, leaving you free to take in your surroundings and enjoy the experience.
For a safe, enjoyable trip, you'll need a little forethought and a good dose of common sense. After all, your trip should be memorable - and not for the mishaps.
Editors note:
Gary Mansperger, Ph.D. is owner of Uniglobe GEM Travel, and is a
