Consider these general travel safety tips for your next trip:
• Enroll in STEP – Smart Traveler Enrollment Program www.step.state.gov – a free service of the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs. It allows U.S. citizens and nationals to register their international destinations and trips with the nearest U.S. Embassies or Consulates. This service provides updates on safety conditions, civil unrest and natural disasters for the countries you are visiting. You will be contacted in the event of an unforeseen situation in the country or if family or friends need to reach you in the event of an emergency back home.
• Research the destinations to be visited to understand safety and security issues.
• Consider purchasing Berkshire Hathaway’s Air Care Insurance www.bhtp.com – AirCare insures for flight delays, missed connections and misdirected baggage. Vacations can be insured with ExactCare.
• Make photocopies and scans of your passport, visas, driver’s license, insurance cards and other important documents in the event your wallet or purse is stolen. Take only the essentials – cash and foreign currency – credit cards – insurance cards. Compile a list to include your blood type, all current medications with dosages and prescribed usage and all known allergies.
• Leave a copy of your day-to-day itinerary and all contact information (hotels and/ or cruise line with ship name and phone numbers) at home with family or friends.
• Curb the desire to state your travel plans on social media. Prying eyes are attentively watching these platforms. It’s better to post your pictures and describe your adventures upon your return.
• Dress to blend into your surroundings – you don’t want to scream or signal “tourist.” Leave expensive jewelry and handbags at home.
• Separate your sources of cash and important travel documents. Don’t carry everything in one wallet or purse when you are out sightseeing.
• Experiment, when feasible, with certain activities like hang-gliding, skiing, parasailing or mountaineering first at home. If you feel comfortable doing these activities on your trip, it’s important to check the training and certification of the instructors or guides along with the license of the operator.
• Be aware of your belongings and surroundings. Be wary of strangers who act just too nice or helpful. Be safe but don’t act scared – or don’t go at all.