General Safety and Security

• Let common sense dictate your actions and behavior; what may be acceptable or appropriate at home may not be at the new location
• Traveling in a group is always more secure than traveling alone
• Women should travel with a known male companion or a group of women
• Try to arrange to be met at the airport by a host or by a prearranged hotel connection
• Familiarize yourself ahead of time with the culture and environment and know what threats you will face at your destination
• Do not assume that you blend in; you don't
• Know what behaviors, gestures, actions, discussion subjects, locations, and words should be avoided to reduce the possibility of misinterpretation or intent
• Know what words or phrases in the local language are useful in an emergency situation
• When overseas, carry yourself in a confident and purposeful manner; walk swiftly and erectly, and without apparent confusion as to your next destination
• Always have a map with your hotel location identified on it, its telephone number and other emergency contact information

Walking

• Always ask your hosts or hotel reception about areas at your destination that you should avoid
• Avoid taking "shortcuts" through alleys or deserted parks
• Women should never walk alone after dark
• Walk against road traffic and observe any vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles approaching you
• Do not walk along a curb; stay in the middle of the sidewalk, away from the street
• Stand back from the corner at an intersection
• Do not stop for beggars, groups of children or handicapped persons; these are often a ploy to set you up for a theft
• If you begin feeling threatened or uncomfortable, immediately leave the situation and seek the comfort of a friendly environment or crowd; if necessary, scream and run in the opposite direction
• Women should not make eye contact with, or acknowledge harassment from, unknown men on the street; do not stop; look straight ahead and keep walking to a store, hotel, restaurant or cafe
• A small personal alarm (rated at 120 decibels or higher) should be carried and used to signal distress when threatened
• Never use active personal security devices, such as pepper spray, which may enrage a criminal if the target is missed or the chemical is ineffective
• If accosted for an armed street robbery, immediately give up your belongings; your life is more precious than your things

Driving

• Always approach your vehicle in an alert manner with your keys in your hand
• Look inside the vehicle before unlocking the door
• As soon as you are seated, lock all doors
• Keep the doors locked at all times, and windows up when stopped in traffic or at intersections
• Keep purses and other personal belongings off of the vehicle's dashboard or seat
• Try to avoid driving alone at night at an unfamiliar destination
• If possible, always carry a cellular telephone when driving and keep local emergency contact information easily available
• If threatened, keep blowing the car's horn until you gain the attention of passers-by
• Never pick up hitchhikers and do not stop to render assistance to stranded motorists; report their location at your next secure opportunity
• Park only in well lit parking areas and use a valet parking service if available
• If you have a flat tire an night or in an unlit or deserted area, keep driving on it until you reach a garage or populated area
• Women are not permitted to drive in certain countries; in others they become the targets of harassment

Taxis

• Have a taxi called for you from the hotel's reception desk and wait in the lobby until it arrives
• Always choose your taxi; don't let the taxi choose you
• Never share a taxi with strangers, nor allow the driver to pick up additional passengers
• Always sit in the rear seat of a taxi
• Get out of the taxi and secure all personal belongings, even those in the trunk, before paying the fare

Shopping

• Most petty theft targeting travelers occurs in crowded markets or streets known to attract tourists
• Keep your purse in view and your wallet in a front pocket, or either in a larger bag used to accumulate all of your purchases
• If possible, separate and distribute cash in several different locations on your person

Purses and Bags

• Assume that your purse or wallet may be stolen; purge each of everything except what is absolutely necessary for that outing
• Carry only what is absolutely needed, such as a limited amount of cash or traveler's checks, one credit card, one piece of identification, the hotel key, and emergency contact information; secure the remainder in the hotel safe
• Women should carry purses with the strap across one shoulder, never across the neck; if a motorcyclist snatches the purse, you may be dragged on the ground and injured
• Women should keep their purse in front with one hand over it, never to the side or rear
• Backpacks can be slit and items stolen in a crowded environment
• Do not use exposed "tummy or fanny packs"; they serve only to identify to a thief that you have something of value and exactly where it is located
• In subways, trams, trains and busses, keep purses, packs, briefcases and bags away from doors where thieves on landings frequently grab them just prior to door closings

Appearance

• Attempt to mirror the majority of other foreigners in country in casual dress
• Clothing should be conservative and as comfortable as possible
• Avoid wearing "logo clothing", baseball caps, and t-shirts obviously marking you as a foreigner
• Wear as little jewelry as possible; costume jewelry may look like it is authentic to a street thief; grabbed earrings, necklaces and copycat watches can seriously injure the wearer
• Female travelers, including children, should cover their hair, arms and legs if culturally appropriate
• Women should avoid wearing heels, which serve only to slow a running escape; wear comfortable shoes