TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS

When you're traveling, use the same safety precautions you would follow in your home city, especially in unfamiliar areas. Below are essential safety tips to keep you protected on your journey:

Hotel & Room Security

• Lock all windows and doors at night. Consider packing a rubber or wooden doorstop that you can wedge under your door to prevent intruders from entering. Alternatively, stack your luggage or a chair in front of the door to alert you if someone tries to enter.

• Maintain room security: If a maintenance worker comes to your room, prop open the door so you’re not alone with them. You can even stand in the open doorway while they work.

• Store valuables in a safe: If your hotel or cruise offers an in-room safe, use it. However, ensure that you ask staff about the protocol in case you forget the password—if they offer a simple reset code like "0000," avoid using it. Consider bringing your own portable safe, like this one from Amazon, which attaches to heavy furniture in your room.

Exploring Outside the Hotel

• Stay in tourist areas: Stick to well-populated, safer areas where there is likely to be a police presence. If you venture outside, always travel with a reputable guide hired through your travel advisor.

• Travel with a partner or group after dark. Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas.

• Have a plan: Know where you will go or how to reconnect if you’re separated from your group. If you go out alone, inform someone of your plans and expected return time.

• Be cautious with offers: If approached by someone offering souvenirs, drugs, or other items you don’t want, politely but firmly decline and keep walking.

Transportation & Excursions

• Hire professional drivers: Whenever possible, avoid driving locally. Instead, book a professional driver through your travel advisor.

• Book excursions safely: Always book sightseeing tours and adventure trips through your travel advisor to ensure you’re dealing with reputable operators.

Personal Security Tips

• In an elevator: Let others push the buttons first to see if they exit at your floor. If you feel unsafe, exit the elevator and return to the lobby.

• If someone follows you: If you think you're being followed back to your room, quickly enter your room, shut the door, and act as though you're not alone.Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like checking bank accounts. Ensure your devices have strong passwords and change them regularly. Consider enabling location tracking and "wiping" software for additional protection.

Social Media & Financial Safety

• Delay social media updates: Avoid posting real-time photos or details about your location on social media, as it may alert thieves back home.

• Carry only necessary cards: Don’t bring all your credit and debit cards on a trip. Keep the rest locked up at home.

• Keep important information secure: Make a list of important phone numbers (bank, insurance) and consider storing scanned copies of your credit cards and passport in cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive.

Additional Tips

• Mail and parcels: Stop your mail and parcel deliveries before you leave to prevent theft.

• Leave valuables at home: Avoid bringing items that would be heartbreaking to lose, such as family heirlooms or expensive jewelry. Always keep valuables in sight at the pool or beach.

• Drink responsibly: If consuming alcohol, eat beforehand, drink water between alcoholic beverages, and never leave your drink unattended.

Transportation Safety

• Taxi safety: Always ask your resort to call a trusted taxi service for you and arrange for the same driver to return you to the resort. Set a specific meeting time and location for the return trip.

Additional Resources

For further reading on travel safety, check out the following helpful articles:

• Travel Weekly: Security Issues for Women Traveling Alone

• LA Times: Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

• Corporate Travel Safety: General Safety Tips