When on vacation or traveling abroad you want to avoid dying in a flaming auto wreck. The U.S. Government provides some tips to help you avoid such a fate. The following is excerpted from DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 10217: Security Awareness Overseas, An Overview [Bureau of Diplomatic Security - United States Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council].
For more travel safety tips check out the links on the right.
Have a safe trip!!
Public Transportation
Stay on your guard against pickpockets and petty thieves while in a bus/train terminal or at a taxi stop. Avoid carrying a wallet in your hip or easily accessible coat pocket. Carry a purse/handbag that you may firmly grip or secure to your body. Beware of people jostling you at busy stations.
Take only licensed taxis. Generally those found in front of terminals and the better hotels are the safest. You may pay a bit more, but the companies are more likely to be reputable and normally the drivers have been screened. Be sure the photo on displayed license is of the driver. Have the address of your destination written out in local language and carry it with you. Get a map and learn the route to your destination; note if taxi driver takes you a different or longer way.
Try not to travel alone in a taxi, and never get out in deserted areas. If the door doesn't lock, sit near the middle of the seat so you will thwart thieves who might open the door or smash a window to grab a purse, briefcase, or wallet.
On subways, choose a middle car but never an empty car. On buses, sit in an aisle seat near the driver. Stand back from the curb while waiting for a bus.
Avoid arriving anywhere at night and using dim or vacant entrances to stations or terminals. Utilize only busy, well-lit stations.
Take as little luggage as possible; ideally, no more than you can comfortably carry.
In-Transit Accommodations
Accommodations in many countries differ considerably from those found in North America and Western Europe. Safety features required in U.S. hotels, such as sprinkler systems, fire stairwells, and emergency lighting, often are either lacking or inoperable. The following measures will enable you to better plan for unforeseen contingencies in hotels.
Travel Insurance
People take varied holidays these days, so we've created a choice of travel insurance to help you get great value and cover for whatever you've got planned.
Single Trip Travel Insurance
We offer a range of travel insurance policies to enable you to get great value and cover for whatever you've got planned. If you are only taking one trip, then our single trip travel insurance may be just what you need.
Emergencies
Don't let any mishaps ruin a good holiday. Our holiday insurance covers you for all sorts of things including cancellations, medical bills, accidents, delayed flights, delayed baggage, legal costs and more.
Longer Trips
Planning that big trip of a lifetime? If it's over 185 days long and you're aged between 16 and 40, a worldwide travel insurance policy could be just what you need. The policy is valid for a full 365 days, and provides cover for cancellations before you travel.
Annual Cover
If you love to travel frequently, then annual travel insurance should be the first thing on your itinerary. You can buy multi trip insurance once and not give it another thought for the whole year.
Golf Cover
Our golf cover can be included in your single or multi trip travel insurance to cover you for loss, damage or theft of equipment and clothing. It's easy to add golf cover to your travel insurance, simply tick the relevant box when you get your travel insurance quote.
Winter Sports Cover
Our winter sports cover will ensure that your ski or snowboard equipment is covered. Simply add winter sports cover when you get a holiday insurance quote.
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