Safety begins when you pack. To help avoid becoming a target, do not dress so as to mark yourself as an affluent tourist. Expensive-looking jewellery, for instance, can draw the wrong attention.
Always try to travel light.
You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free
hand. You will also be less tired and
less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.
Carry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to
conceal them. Your passport, cash and
credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person,
you may wish to put them in various places rather than all in one wallet or
pouch. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and
outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with
the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer. One of the safest places to carry valuables is
in a pouch or money belt worn under your clothing.
If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Bring them and any medicines you need in your
carry-on luggage.
To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep
medicines in their original, labelled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the
generic names for the drugs. If a
medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor
attesting to your need to take the drug.
If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into
a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country before you travel.
Bring travellers checks and one or two major credit or debit
cards instead of cash. Debit cards are much preferred over credit cards.
Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy
of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier
in the event it is lost or stolen.
Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and
outside of each piece of luggage. Use
covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or
nationality. If possible, lock your
luggage.
Consider getting a telephone calling card. It is a convenient way of keeping in
touch. If you have one, verify that you
can use it from your overseas location(s).
Access numbers to U.S. operators
are published in many international newspapers.
Find out your access number before you go. If you have an unlocked, tri-band or
quad-band GSM phone, you will be able to buy a SIM card and use it
locally. This will be much cheaper than
using your home service and international rates or roaming fees.
Check with the TSA web site to see what the latest rules and
regulations are for carry-on baggage.
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