|
TRAVEL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Many people fear travel to foreign countries, as they are not
familiar with the customs, practices, people, language, etc. Added
to this fear is the anxiety of being stranded from home without
passport, money, or friends.
Here are some tips that might help allay those fears, and allow
you to experience the wonder that is travel. These are NOT meant
to scare you off traveling, but offer you some ammunition to keep
the vacation fun and free from stress.
PLANNING AND PACKING
* Leave the expensive jewelry at home, in a safe, hidden place.
Do you really want to lose your great-grandmother's diamond engagement
ring because you dropped it down a foreign drain? That ring is
probably worth more than most thieves make in a year. Don't tempt
them.
* Keep a copy of your passport with you, and leave the original
in your hotel safe. If there is no hotel safe, keep the original
on you, in a money belt or similar secure place. If you have lost
your passport, go immediately to the US Embassy, and they will
be able to provide a new one. A copy will help expedite the matter.
* Make sure any deliveries to the house are taken care of --
either cancelled or collected by a neighbor -- so your house doesn't
have an advertised sign 'no one is home, come rob me!'
* If you are checking your luggage, don't put your home address
on it. That advertises to baggage handlers that no one is home
there -- put your work address, or a neighbor's. On the inside
of the bag, list your itinerary so if the bag is lost, it can
find you.
* Due to TSA rules, you are not supposed to lock your luggage.
However, I've found that if I put cable ties on the luggage, and
TSA wants in, they will cut it, put a note that they've inspected
it, and put more cable ties on. It doesn't stop a determined thief,
but at least you know right away if someone has been in, can take
an inventory before you leave the airport, and file a report.
* Credit cards -- the contact numbers are all on the back, and
(800) numbers don't work from Europe. Make copies of the front
and back, and get international contact numbers in case they are
lost or stolen. Call immediately if they are! Also, call each
credit card company before you leave and let them know you are
traveling to Europe, as they may put a hold on your card for suspected
fraudulent activity if you don't. They still may put on a hold,
though, so bring those numbers!
* Also in carry-on should be one change of clothes (in case your
luggage is delayed), your travel documents, and anything you need
on the flight. I would recommend putting toiletries (i.e., lotion,
soap, shampoo) in sealed plastic bags, as pressurization does
wonderful things to bottles! Also, any sharp objects (razors,
scissors) should be in your checked luggage per TSA rules.
* DON'T DON'T DON'T put valuables in your checked baggage. Cameras,
credit cards, prescription medicine, jewelry -- these must be
in your carry-on. Otherwise, don't cry when they're stolen!
TRAVEL TO AND FROM
* If you park your car at the airport, don't put the sticker
in view (unless it is required). Anyone can drive out of there
with your car, if they have a sticker. Bring it with you, and
keep in a safe place.
* When going through TSA security screening, keep your eyes on
your valuables as they go through the X-ray box. If the agent
pulls you aside for additional screening, ask that you can collect
your items first. Items HAVE disappeared from the table, either
from agents or other passengers. You have the right to keep an
eye on your stuff!
* Know where you are going! That means which gate at the airport,
which hotel, which bus, and which travel site. Professional thieves
and scam artists target those who look like tourists -- those
that look lost.
* Keep a constant eye out at the airport. Distractions such as
spilling mustard on you from a person walking by could mean his
partner is stealing your bag from next to you.
* Idle chit-chat can be dangerous! A former thief said he would
take the airport shuttle from the parking lot, and chat with others,
discussing where they hide their parking stickers. Once he found
one that left it in the car, and where it was (i.e., glove box),
he would go to that car -- having watched the person before they
boarded the shuttle -- and calmly drive the car away. The theft
isn't noticed for a couple weeks while the person is on vacation,
and by then he's long gone.
AT YOUR DESTINATION
* Never give out your personal information! If you are having
a drink at a pub or restaurant, and someone comes up and asks
where you are staying, would you tell them if this was New York
City? Of course not. Don't do it in Paris, either!
* When in a public place, keep aware of your surroundings, especially
of your purse/bag. Pickpocketing is a career for some Europeans,
much more than in the states. However, you are much less likely
to get mugged or raped over there. There is a different focus
for the crime, rather than more or less crime.
* Beware people who accost you for directions, help with a tour,
etc. They could very well be scam artists, looking to distract
you from your bag/luggage. These are especially prevalent at train
stations and major tourist spots.
* Know some of the language, it helps not only in figuring out
what someone is shouting, but locals are more sympathetic to help
those who make the effort, and are not 'ugly American tourists'.
* When checking into a hotel, ask the clerk not to announce your
room number as you get the key. Instead, ask that they write it
down so people can't overhear -- most US hotels are doing this
now, and it's gaining popularity, thank the gods!
* As soon as you check in, get something with the hotel name
and address on it -- matchbook, business card, etc. This way you
can get back there, even if your taxi driver doesn't speak English!
* Backpacks are a pickpocket's dream -- unless the zippers are
secured. You can use those keychains that split in two to secure
them, or a simple small lock.
HEALTH
* On your flight, stay hydrated and try to stay away from
the alcohol. Dehydration makes catching colds easier in the filtered
air, and will make you more tired the next day from jet lag. Since
the Flight Attendants only come by a few times with drinks, I
just bring my own water bottle with me, and sip throughout the
night.
* Wash your hands often -- the airport is full of people who
are coughing, sneezing, and spreading their germs on you. Washing
your hands often gets rid of a great deal of these contagions
before they can reach your eyes, nose and mouth. No one wants
to be sick on their vacation! A Flight Attendant once told me
she swears by smearing a little neosporin on the inside of her
nostrils before a flight.
* Check with your health insurance company to see if they cover
you on your trip out of the country. If not, check out Insure
My Trip for many options on health insurance, trip insurance,
etc.
* If you do get sick or injured, don't hesitate to go to a doctor
-- it will just get worse if you wait!
* Eat a lot of fruits and veggies before your flight -- it is
good for you anyhow, and it helps get your body into a more natural
rhythm. This helps fight off colds, reduces jet lag, and increases
your metabolism for all that walking you will do in Europe!
* Speaking of walking, bring comfortable, supporting shoes! Spike
heels and cobblestones do NOT mix. Make sure they are well broken-in
before the trip, and bring some moleskin just in case. You don't
want to be miserable!
|
