safety issues while on vacation

[The Travel Slut]

Some tips I have from over the years:

I make color copies of my Passport and slip a copy in the inside pocket of each piece of luggage. This is great for identification purposes in case your luggage tag accidentally gets ripped off of your luggage as well as proof of who you are if your I.D. gets lost or stolen while out of the country). By the way, in the very remote case that should happen, be sure that it is reported to local Police and get a copy of a Police Report before you return and obtain a temporary passport from your local embassy.

I also only carry two credit cards with me and keep one in the room safe. If one gets lost or stolen, you can cancel it immediately and still have another one to use on your trip.

I usually never carry a purse and never wear jewelry. If I do carry a purse, it’s very small and has a shoulder strap that I cross in front of my body not over a shoulder. A money pouch that is worn inside shirts or blouses works well too. Pickpockets work in 2 or 3’s and the one who distracts you and seems the obvious crook is NOT the one who is taking a wallet out of your back pocket or purse.

I also carry all medicine in its original prescription bottles along with copies of the prescriptions (needed in Dubai for sure) and I take along a copy of my eyeglass prescription. (You can’t imagine how helpful this is if you NEED glasses and accidentally break or lose your only pair while traveling.

When I travel in foreign countries I am required to make smart decisions when confronted with things I don't understand. The following pointers are for consideration and review and to remember them at the back of your mind:

(1) Have a hotel card and request the front desk personnel write the hotel name, address and phone # in the language that taxi drivers would understand (many hotels have these cards pre-printed)

(2) Learn useful local words (or carry a pocket translator) like help, police, food, restroom , etc

(3) If water is suspect, eat only hot, cooked food and avoid ice, tap water and uncooked vegetables that may have been washed. Drink only from bottles that still have the cap intact.

(4) Ask before taking pictures of people you don't know or of public or government places.

(5) Research local customs first.

(6) Take precautions on areas and times that you frequent. Someplace safe in daylight might be hazardous at night. Tourists are easy targets for pickpockets.

(7) Try not to read maps or guidebooks at street corners.

(8) Look BOTH ways when crossing streets as habits are hard to break for tourist-pedestrians.

(9) Consider this source of info: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

(10) Use common sense. If you are uncomfortable doing something or being someplace, then make a change.

[davidstuff]

I dont have and remember any of very bad incidents to me while going for a getaway. Its common to have some little unlikely incidents. I like to give some safety tips for the vacations which i always follow while going to a getaways. here are they
# Check your smoke detectors, emergency car and first aid kits and fire extinguishers monthly.
# Emphasize safety when lighting fireworks and/or the home grill, and be prepared for minor fires or burns. Fifty-four percent of children injured during a fireworks display were under adult supervision.
# Sleepy drivers cause at least 100,000 car accidents and more than 1,500 fatal crashes each year. Ask someone else to drive or pull over and take a break. Use good judgment . . . drinking caffeine, playing loud music or eating may temporarily help you to feel more alert. If you find yourself dozing off, stop the car and get a good night's rest.
# Choose sunglasses wisely. Yellow or blue lens sunglasses distort colors and are not good choices for driving. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that your sunglasses block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. The label should indicate the amount of protection.
# Using headlights in the daytime helps reduce accident rates.
# Buckle up yourself and your passengers.
# Don't drink and drive.
# Observe pool safety: no running, no glass containers, no diving in shallow areas, no swimming alone and wear sunscreen.
Have a nice vacation