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Travel Safety and Security
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PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY TIPS (Copyright 1991 by Mayer
Nudell. May be distributed through America Online. All other rights reserved.)
Travel, whether at home or abroad, is a rich and rewarding
experience. With reasonable precautions, this experience can
be a safe one as well. Despite the current risks of war in the
Persian Gulf and an increase in terrorism directed against
Americans and other Western citizens, an increased awareness of
potential problems and careful planning will reduce the chan-
ces of your becoming a victim -- whether of a terrorist or of a
common criminal. The following suggestions will help you to
enjoy your trip safely. As you will see, many of them require
only common sense and a small amount of effort.
Safe travel begins well before your trip starts. It involves
ensuring that your residence -- both at home and abroad -- is
as secure as possible. Whether a house, apartment, or hotel,
you cannot rest easy unless this portion of your trip is
considered. It also involves careful consideration of how and
what you pack, as well as what items you carry on board the
plane with you.
Finally, you must be attentive to what is happening around you.
Certain things are normal for a travel or other environment;
others are not. Constant attention to what is occurring around
you will make you sensitive to the unusual or out-of-the-
ordinary. In many ways, you have the ability to influence what
happens to you.
The suggestions provided here are as applicable within the U.S.
as they are overseas. None should get in the way of your
enjoyment as you travel, study, or conduct business wherever
you are. They require no extraordinary expenditures of money,
time, or effort and they will not unnecessarily inconvenience
you.
PERSONAL SAFETY
*Dress in an appropriate manner to avoid drawing attention. Do
not wear flags, specialty T-shirts, etc. Smoke local
cigarettes, newspapers, etc.
*Avoid carrying unnecessary items. Carry handbags under arms;
wallets in jacket or side pockets.
*Leave expensive jewelry at home. Keep other valuable
documents, etc. out of sight.
*Use an office or school address for mail, deliveries, and any
registrations.
*Report inquiries which appear to be excessively detailed to
police, school, or Embassy/Consulate.
*If your stay is long, register with the nearest Embas-
sy/Consulate update information regularly.
*Keep your passport/required papers with you.
*Photocopy passport information page (the one with your picture
on it) and store it in a safe location in case your passport is
lost or stolen
*Avoid unnecessary physical contact with strangers. If
jostled, immediately check your belongings.
*Vary your routes, routines, and means of transportation as
often as possible.
*Always give the appearance that you know where you are and
where you are going.
*Be especially alert at bars, restaurants, and locations
popular with Americans and other Westerners. These can be
targets for terrorists; they are for criminals.
*Pay attention to your surroundings at all times.
*When invited to social gatherings, know the location and other
guests, etc.
IF YOU BECOME INVOLVED
CRIME
*Do not be a hero!
*Follow instructions.
*Be observant. Try to identify your assailant.
*Report the incident to police as soon as possible.
TERRORISM
*Try to remain calm. Help is probably already on the way.
*Follow any directions you are given -- even if given by
criminals or terrorists.
*Be discreetly observant.
*Make no sudden moves which will draw attention to yourself.
Don't be a hero!
*Be patient. Hijackings and similar incidents take time to
resolve.
*In case of shooting, drop to the floor and seek cover. Stay
there until directed to do otherwise.
*Expect to be cautiously by police after an incident. It is
not always clear who the good guys and bad guys are.
*Cooperate with authorities.
*Leave the area as soon as possible.
WHILE TRAVELING
*Use non-stop or direct flights. The fewer stops you make, the
fewer chances of security breaches.
*Keep contact with your luggage; keep it locked.
*Carry medications, documents, glasses, change of clothes, and
other important items on the plane.
*Use traveler's checks wherever possible.
*Do not loiter in public areas at airports; move to secured
departure areas. Be alert at train, sea, and bus terminals,
etc. Check in early.
*NEVER transport anything for a stranger.
*At airports, train depots, etc. be alert to unattended
baggage. Report this immediately to appropriate authorities
and stay away from it.
*Place identification inside your luggage, as well as outside.
Cover outside identification.
*Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you -- in
the terminal and on the plane.
*Upon arrival, claim luggage, pass through customs, and head
for your hotel immediately. Do not loiter at the terminal.
*Know what is happening in the world and do not travel to
unsafe locations.
TRAVELING LOCALLY
*Use transportation appropriate to the area, but try to avoid
overcrowded buses or unsafe taxis.
*Use only marked buses or taxis. Beware of offers of
transportation from strangers.
*Always hail your own taxi. Do not allow doormen or others to
do you a "favor." Be certain that your taxi or bus has been
selected randomly; check driver's identification.
*Know how to get to your destination before you leave.
*Walk purposefully, as if you had know your route.
*Travel in groups.
*Be aware of surroundings. Avoid dark or out-of-the-way
places. Avoid unruly crowds and demonstrations.
*Leave word regarding your destination and expected time of
return. Provide a telephone number.
*Know some emergency words in the local language.
*Know how to use the local telephone system and carry the
proper coins or tokens for a local call. Know the emergency
number for police or the Embassy/Consulate.
*Know police stations and other safe havens.
*Be wary of overly friendly strangers.
*Be alert to signs of surveillance.
*If driving, check your car inside and out. Park in secured
locations. Keep windows closed and doors locked. Use cars
which blend into your area.
*Avoid unscheduled stops, even for accidents -- especially in
isolated areas. Keep going and inform police. NEVER pickup
hitchhikers.
RESIDENTIAL SAFETY
HOTELS
*Stay at hotels which are part of major chains. They generally
have the best security and the safest conditions. Locations
near major tourist attractions minimize transportation needs.
*Request a room between the second and tenth floors. This will
keep you within range of most fire/rescue equipment, but keep
you away from any disturbances at street level.
*Do not loiter or discuss your plans in hotel lobbies.
*Keep doors and windows locked at all times.
*Keep your key with you when you leave the hotel, if possible.
*Do not meet strangers in your hotel room. Do not give out
your room number casually.
*Know the emergency exits for your floor.
*Know the location(s) of fire hoses and/or extinguishers.
*Consider using hotel safe deposit boxes for valuables.
HOUSES/APARTMENTS
*Look for opportunities for someone to surreptitiously enter
and rectify them.
*Secure doors and windows with tamper-resistent locks. Use
them!
*Buildings and grounds should be well-lit to deter or identify
intruders.
*Some interior lights should be on timers to give the
appearance of occupancy when you are away.
*Keep doors and windows closed and locked -- especially those
in unused rooms or that are easily accessible.
*Exterior doors should be solid or have metal reinforcement.
*Know your neighbors and their schedules.
*Be alert for suspicious vehicles or persons. Report these to
appropriate authorities.
*Do not accept unexpected deliveries.
*Control access to keys. If keys are unaccounted for, change
locks immediately. Change locks if moving into a new
residence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ASSISTANCE,
PLEASE CONTACT:
MAYER NUDELL
Specialized Consulting Services
109 Pennsylvania Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046-3239
(703) 237-2513 Fax (703) 533-0358
CABLE: CRISISMGMT Falls Church, VA