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By Roger Collis
When traveling take the following safety tips into consideration.
Choosing a Hotel:
- Smaller is smarter: you want the staff to be familiar with guests and with you.
The smaller the lobby, the more noticeable the loiterers.
- Look for a car park that is well lighted and secure. Find out if there's valet
parking and if this will be available when you need it.
- On the sidewalk, keep your handbag and other valuables away from the street side (and on
escalators, away from the opposite ramp).
- If attacked, yell as loud as you can.
Room and Elevator Rules:
- Ask for a room near the elevators and away from any refurbishment work. Have your
key ready when you leave the lift.
- Stand near the elevator buttons with your back to the wall. If threatened, push
all the buttons at once.
- Get a room as far as possible from emergency exits (which someone might pry open to
avoid using the elevators) and on an upper floor away from terraces.
- Make sure the door has a peephole and double locks, one of them a dead bolt.
- Bring along a rubber doorstop for extra security, or ask the hotel for one.
- The PLEASE MAKE UP THIS ROOM sign advertises your absence. Call housekeeping
instead.
- Put expensive clothing on hangers under other garments. Thieves usually take what
they see.
- Lock valuables in the front-desk safe.
Travel Savvy:
- Use covered luggage tags with your office (not home) address.
- In public toilets, use the corner cubicle.
- On overnight flights, watch your valuables. Take your purse with you to the
toilet.
- Don't exit a taxi until you're sure you've reached your destination. Pay while
still in the vehicle so that you can check the change.
- Stay close to your valuables when passing through airport security.
- When placing your carry-on bag on the floor in a restaurant or other public area, put
your foot through the strap; don't leave it loose.
- Tear your name and address off magazines before leaving them on the plane. Why
announce to the world that you're away?
- Renting a car at a strange airport, consider hiring a taxi to lead you to the main road.
- Never use an unmarked taxi.
- Rent a cell phone or bring your own. Put the police number on speed dial.
- On the road, if someone tries to get your attention or your car is bumped, don't stop
until you arrive at a well-lighted and busy area. Alternatively, stay in the car and
honk until help arrives.
- If suspicious about 'phony' police, don't open the window; hold your license against the
glass.
- In your car, keep items out of sight, especially maps and guidebooks. Be cautious
of hatchbacks, as they leave your luggage in plain view.
- When possible, park so you won't have to back out. It makes for a speedier
departure.
- Street Smarts:
- Study your map before going out; once on the street, use a pocketsize guidebook to avoid
looking like a tourist. Ask the concierge or female employee to mark any dangerous
areas on your map.
- Dress down.
- Thread your money belt through your belt loops so that if anyone cuts it, it won't fall
off.
- Avoid jewelry. Even a fake gold chain can be ripped off your neck.
- When getting off a bus, a train, or an escalator, watch for pickpockets.
- Carry just one credit card and photocopies of important documents. Divide money
for small and larger purchases so you don't have to expose a wad. Become familiar
with foreign currency before you have to use it.
- Have tips ready for porters and doormen.
- Use prepaid phone cards instead of carrying your card number.
- Ask the concierge to make any restaurant reservations, and have him or her say 'Please
take care of our guest, she's coming alone and will need a taxi home.'
- Should a car start to follow you, turn immediately and walk the other way. Cross
over the road to avoid anyone threatening or suspicious.
- Ask directions from families or women with children.
Source: Safety Points For The Female Traveler - Red Carnation Hotels
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