Worldwide Travel Safety Tips

These tips will help you stay safe so you can relax and enjoy your travel adventures.

~ Learn about your destination. Every country has its own customs and cultural expectations; do some research before you leave home to find out what’s expected. Do you need to cover your head when you enter a religious building? Is a handshake appropriate or considered insulting? Check travel guides to learn about the laws and customs of countries you plan to visit, and follow them. You’ll be more welcome, and you’ll feel more comfortable.  It’s also a good idea to check the U.S. State Department’s International Travel site to see if there are any travel security or weather warnings for countries you intend to visit.
~ Tell family or friends where you’re going. Once your itinerary is set, make copies for friends or family members. This information should include the names, addresses and telephone numbers of every place you will be staying, photocopies of your passport identification page, and all of the flights you plan to take.
~ Check your health insurance. Because you never know when an accident or illness will strike, it’s important to have adequate health insurance coverage while traveling. Find out whether your insurance policy covers international travel and ask about medical evacuations—if you need surgery, you may want the option of getting better treatment in another city or country. If your coverage doesn’t extend to other countries, purchase supplemental traveler's insurance. Buy travel health insurance only from reputable companies.
~ Don’t forget your medication. If you take prescription medication, carry enough to last the length of your trip, including extra medication in case of a travel delay. Never pack meds in your checked baggage; always carry it with you while traveling. It’s handy to have a copy of your prescription information and the names of the generic equivalents in case you lose your meds and have to buy more. To help airport security personnel identify your medication, leave it in its original container.
~ Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. In many countries, purse thieves and pickpockets do a thriving business. Ostentatious jewelry, accessories or designer luggage all attract thieves. Even costume jewelry can increase your risk, because thieves won’t know it’s fake until they steal it.
~ Dress to blend in. If you're a woman traveling abroad, it’s always best to be conservative and inconspicuous in your choice of clothing and makeup. In some cultures, an outfit that you consider attractive could be seen as provocative or inappropriate. Once you arrive, take your cue from local women. If other women cover their heads or shoulders to enter a church, do the same out of respect for their culture.
~ Stay in safe places. Look for hotels or B&Bs that offer good security and have public transportation or taxis nearby. Once you check into your room, make sure that all doors and windows have working locks. If you feel uncomfortable, ask hotel security to escort you to and from parking lots or your room at night. Don’t open your door to strangers; use the peephole if you’re expecting a visitor, or call the front desk if someone shows up uninvited. 
~ Use public transportation wisely. Riding the Paris Metro is not just a practical way to get around town, it offers a wonderful opportunity for people-watching. Make your trips safer by planning ahead—mark your route on a travel map so you don’t get confused or lost, and make sure you have the right fare.
~ Ask for directions. Before leaving your hotel, ask the concierge or other hotel staff for directions to the places you plan to visit each day. Inquire about any unsafe areas you should avoid. If you do get lost, ask directions from the local tourist bureau, a police officer, a family, or a woman with children.
~ Be confident, not arrogant. Criminals often choose victims who look vulnerable or scared. Act and move as if you know what you are doing. If you find yourself in a scary situation, step into a hotel or restaurant, take a breath, get your bearings, and ask for help if you need it.
~ Use common sense. Travel safety is mostly a matter of common sense. If you stay alert and aware of your surroundings, you’ll increase your safety. If you think you are being followed, step into a store or other safe place and wait until the person passes by. Keep the name, address, and phone number of your hotel with you at all times; if possible, include the name of the manager or other responsible personnel.

By Sharon O’Brien

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Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.