Travel Safety Tips
You'll find some travel safety tips here for both travel in
the United States and for traveling in other countries. The first
thing you need to travel safely is to get a little information
about your destination. Is there a lot of crime? Do you need
vaccinations? Is it dangerously hot, full of mosquitoes or unsafe
water? What is the political atmosphere, and the crime situation
like right now?
Where to Get Travel Safety Information
If you are traveling overseas, the U.S. Department Of State
has a page on their website that you can link to here, which
has Background
Notes On Countries. you can find the country you plan to
travel to on the list and click on the link to learn some basic
facts about it. The State Department's Bureau Of Consular Affairs
has their Consular Information Sheets , with more up-to-date
information for every country in the world. They'll give you
safety tips and tell you about the current state of affairs in
each country. For health information on specific counties, use
the link here to The
National Center For Disease Control. There are more health
safety tips and links below.
If you are traveling within the United States, you can find
some information and tips for travel to each state and city at
www.ohwy.com,
although there isn't much related to safety issues there. Weather
information can be important to safe travel, however, so for
climate statistics and forecasts anywhere in the U.S., use the
link here to Weatherbase.com.
You can get climate data and weather forecasts for other countries
on weatherbase as well. Click on one of the geographical areas,
and it will bring up a list of countries, and then from there
a list of cities. Just find the city or cities closest to your
destination.
More Travel Safety Tips
Money Safety Tips
Carry your money in at least three different places. These
can include; under the sole of your shoe, in a pocket that you
pin inside your clothes, in your shaving kit. Also carry two
credit or debit cards in two separate and secure places. Have
the "lost or stolen" phone numbers in another place.
For more travel safety tips related to money and security, visit
the page on Travel Money Belts.
What to Wear for Safety
Dress properly for the places you are going to. Not only do
you want to dress for the climate, but you need to be aware if
the area you are visiting has much crime, and if so, leave expensive
watches and other jewelry behind. I sometimes carry a "decoy
wallet" in my back pocket, with nothing in it, just so a
thief can steal something and leave me alone (It has been
stolen). The Consular Information Sheets linked to above have
information on the crime situation in each country.
Health and Travel Safety
Use the CDC link above , and the Bureau Of Consular Affairs
Entry Requirements Page to determine what vaccinations you may
need for the country you are traveling to. Bring enough of your
personal medicines, or check to be sure of their availability
where you are going. If you want, your doctor can prescribe a
general antibiotic for you to carry "just in case."
Transportation Safety Tips
For travel safety tips on using busses and taxis in foreign
countries, visit the page "Cheap
Bus Travel." On the page "Travel
Money Belts" you can read the story of how I was robbed
and learn from my mistakes.
Passports And Documents
E-mail a copy of your passport and other important documents
to yourself. If they are lost or stolen, you can quickly get
a copy from any internet-connected computer. It is also a good
idea to carry a list of important numbers on your body when you
travel. Have the phone number of the U.S. Embassy, and the collect
numbers to call if your credit cards are stolen (1-800 numbers
won't work in other countries). Keep two such lists in two places
for safety.
Common Sense
The best one of these travel safety tips is simply this: Use
common sense. I met several people that were robbed the last
time I stayed in a hostel in South America. The girl who was
alone past midnight on unlit streets was a typical and sad story.
There may be parts of your hometown where you don't feel safe
walking at night. Ask the locals about these things when you
travel, and don't take chances hat you wouldn't at home.
When All Hell Breaks Loose
Here are some travel safety tips for when you are in trouble
in a foreign country. First of all, it is recommended by the
U.S. Department of State that you register with the Embassy or
Consulate where you are going , and even provide them with your
itinerary, so they can find you if need be. You can do this online
using the link here to their Registration Page.
If you need legal help while you are traveling in another
country, you can get information on the State Department's Judicial Assistance Page. Of course, if you
don't have access to the internet at the time, you'll need to
contact the nearest embassy or consulate by phone. Use the list
here of United
States Embassies and Consulates to get the numbers you need
before you go, and carry them with you.
For more tips on safe travel in other countries, visit the
page, "International
Travel Tips."
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