Travel Tips
Whether you are planning a domestic or international trip -- traveling by
jet or simply driving across the state -- there are some simple precautions
you can take to help keep you safe. Before you take off, take a few minutes
to review these safety tips for staying out of harm's way at hotels,
airports, and on the street.
Before you go
- Don't publicize your travel plans -- limit knowledge to those who need
to know.
- Ensure that your passport, if needed, is good for at least three or
four months.
- Make sure visa(s) are appropriate and current for place and type of
travel.
- Take only the credit cards and personal identification that you will
actually need.
- Carry a driver's license from your state of residence with a
photograph.
- Make a copy of your credit cards, traveler check numbers, and the
telephone numbers needed to report a theft. Keep the copy in a location
separate from the documents.
- If possible, carry any required prescriptions in the original
containers. Consider carrying them on the plane instead of leaving them in
your checked bags.
- Carry a list of blood type, allergies, or any special medical
conditions. Medical alert bracelets are a good idea.
- Hand carry any sensitive or proprietary information. Leave all
expensive and unneeded personal or professional property at home.
- Check with your medical insurance carrier about coverage away from
your home and work. Know coverage protection for out-of-country travel.
- Avoid a demanding schedule upon your arrival if you have traveled
across many time zones. Give yourself a chance to adjust to new
surroundings.
Other Foreign Travel Considerations:
- Many foreign airports do not allow butane lighters or hair dryers to
be taken on board. Consider leaving them at home.
- For foreign travel, some airports charge hefty "take off" charges
payable only in local currency and only when you are preparing to leave
the country. Be prepared!
- Most foreign airports are very serious about security. Be prepared to
be questioned and always answer customs' questions honestly.
- Do not exchange much currency before you enter your destination
country. Exchange rates in hotels are typically not very good. If you can,
land in your destination country with $50 or so of their currency for
immediate expenses (bathrooms, taxis, porter charges, etc.).
- Check your destination country's holidays. Usually public
transportation, gas stations, and grocery stores are not open on holidays.
- In most foreign countries, stores - including gas and grocery - close
by 5:00 p.m. Be prepared for the lack of "convenience stores".
Before you take off
- Make sure someone near your residence knows where to contact you in
emergencies or is authorized to make critical decisions regarding your
residence.
- Make copies of your passport photo page; put a copy in your carry-on
and leave a copy at home.
- Check with your personal insurance carrier to see what coverage you
may have on luggage and contents.
- Make sure your luggage is tagged inside and out, but don't use your
position or affiliation.
- Check in early to avoid the last minute rush.
- DO NOT transport items for other people.
- NEVER leave your bags unattended -- anywhere! Portable computers are
particularly susceptible to theft, even at airport security checkpoints.
- Do not exchange items between bags while waiting for customs or
security screening.
- At a transportation terminal, do not get involved in any disturbance.
- Dress casually when traveling to avoid attention; avoid showy jewelry.
- Locks on luggage are not secure; consider using a strip of nylon
filament tape around your suitcase. Never place extreme valuables in your
checked luggage.
- Go directly to the gate or secure area after checking your luggage,
and avoid waiting rooms or shopping areas outside secure areas.
- Be alert at security checkpoints. Don't place belongings on conveyor
until you can keep an eye on items being screened.
- Do not place weapons or disabling chemical sprays in your bags.
- At many international airports, security and customs personnel will
ask you questions about your luggage. Know what you're carrying and be
able to describe any electronics.
- Whenever possible, arrange to be met at your destination.
At your hotel
- Make your own hotel reservations, whenever possible, consistent with
university policy.
- If traveling abroad in areas of concern, consider making reservations
using your university address, without identifying the university. Use
your personal credit card.
- Be aware that credit card information may be compromised at hotels,
car rentals, or restaurants.
- In some foreign countries, your passport may be held by a hotel for
copying or for review by the police; retrieve it at the earliest possible
time.
- In a hotel, try to secure a room between floors two and seven. Some
fire departments may not have the capability to rescue above the seventh
floor.
- Always check for the nearest fire stairwells, hoses, and emergency
telephones when checking in to a hotel.
- Avoid hanging the "Please Clean Room" tag on your door. It is an
obvious signal that you are not in.
- Before allowing entry of hotel maintenance or other supposed hotel
staff, verify with the front desk.
- Do not leave sensitive information or documents in your hotel room.
Hand carry and personally protect your documents, as well as laptop
computers and other valuables.
- Arrive as near the hotel entrance as possible and, if after dark, in a
well-lit area.
- Do not linger or wander unnecessarily in parking lots, garages, or
public spaces near hotels.
- Stay with your luggage until it is brought into the lobby or placed in
your taxi.
- Many foreign hotels consider the basement to be Floor #1 and the
ground floor is Floor #2. Remember this in emergencies.
At your hotel, in case of fire
- Locate the nearest stairwell to your room.
- Locate the nearest house telephone to be used in an emergency.
- Remain calm and do not panic.
- Call the front desk and make sure they are aware of the fire and its
exact location.
- Check your door by placing the palm of your hand on the door or the
knob. If either feels hot, do not open the door.
- Do not use an elevator if there is a fire.
- If you cannot leave your room or the stairwells are unsafe, notify the
front desk that you are in your room.
- Fill the tub and sink with water. Soak towels and blankets as
necessary to block vents and openings around doors to keep smoke and fumes
out. A wet towel swung around the room will help clear it of smoke.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth.
- Stay low but alert to any signs of rescue from the street or the
halls. Let firefighters know where you are by waving a towel or sheet out
of the window.
On the street
- Invest in a good map of the city you are visiting. Note significant
points on the map such as your hotel, the U. S. Embassy, and a local
police station.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Look up and down the street before
exiting a building.
- Learn how to place a local telephone call and how to use coin
telephones. Make sure you have extra tokens or coins for telephones.
- Ask the bellman, concierge, and front desk personnel regarding safe --
and not-so-safe -- areas around the city to jog, dine, or sightsee. Be
aware of local traffic regulations and driving habits. Joggers have been
seriously injured by failing to understand traffic conditions.
- When you go out for recreation, be sure you carry identification and
who to notify in an emergency (especially while cycling, roller blading,
jogging, or walking).
- Keep your passport with you at all times. Only relinquish it to the
hotel if required by law when registering, or if required to identify
yourself to local authorities.
- Keep in mind that purse snatchers and briefcase thieves often work
hotel bars and restaurants. Keep your purse or briefcase in view or in
hand.
- Be alert to scams involving an unknown person spilling a drink or food
on your clothing; an accomplice may be preparing to steal your wallet,
purse, or briefcase.
- If you drive, make sure your driver's license is valid and familiarize
yourself with local traffic laws and patterns.
- If you drive, make sure you have valid insurance and emergency
notification information.
- ATM cards work in most western European countries, but not in many
eastern European, African, or some Asian countries. If you attempt to use
the card in a country that does not accept it, the machine will not give
it back.
Wherever you are
- Always be aware of the location of your closest exit.
- Always be alert for distractions that may be staged by pickpocketers,
luggage thieves, or purse snatchers.
- Consider wearing a money belt or other secure storage device; waist
pouches are not advised because potential thieves will know the location
of your valuables.
- Keep briefcases and purses in view or in hand when using telephones.
If you're using a credit card, block the views of the key pad when
entering the number.
- Be cautious when entering public restrooms.
- Carefully inspect any gifts received in a foreign country before
packing for your return.
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