Before You Go

Safety begins when you pack. To avoid being a target, dress conservatively. A flashy wardrobe or one that is too casual can mark you as a tourist. As much as possible, avoid the appearance of affluence.

Always try to travel light. If you do, you can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will also be less tired and less likely to set you luggage down, leaving it unattended.

Carry the minimum amount of valuables necessary for your trip and plan a place or places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are safest when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to conceal them is several places rather than putting them in one wallet or pouch. Avoid hand bags, fanny packs and outside pockets which are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer. The safest place to carry valuables is probably a pouch or money belt that you war under your clothing.

If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Carry them and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage.

To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring a copy of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first.

Bring travelers checks and one or two major credit cards instead of cash.

Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport information page to make replacement of your passport easier in case it is lost or stolen.

Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. Last of all, lock your luggage.

Don't bring anything you would hate to lose. Leave at home:

• Expensive of expensive-looking jewelry.
• Irreplaceable family objects.
• All unnecessary credit cards.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.

Make photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license, and the credit cards that you bring with you. Make two copies. Leave one with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry your valuables.

Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers checks at home. Carry your copy with you in a separate place and, as you cash the checks, cross them off the list.

The Department of State's Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They describe unusual entry of currency regulations, unusual health conditions, the crime and security situation, political disturbances, areas of instability, and drug penalties. They also provide addresses and emergency telephone numbers for U.S. embassies and consulates. In general, the sheets do not give advice. Instead, they describe conditions so travelers can make informed decisions about their trips.

In some dangerous situations, however, the Department of State recommends that Americans defer travel to a country. In such a case, a Travel Warning is issued for the country in addition to its Consular Information Sheet.

Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings are available at the 13 regional passport agencies; at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad; or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

They are also available through airline computer reservations systems when you or your travel agent make your international air reservations.

In addition, you can access Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings 24-hours a day from three different electronic systems. To listen to them, call (202) 647-5225 from a touchtone phone. To receive them by fax, dial (202) 647-3000 from a fax machine and follow the prompts that you will hear on the machine's telephone receiver. To view or download the documents through a computer and modem, dial the Consular Affairs Bulletin Board (CABB) on (202) 647-9225, setting your software to N-8-1. There is no charge to use these systems other than normal long distance charges.

When you leave the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country where you are. Therefore, before you go, learn as much as you can about the local laws and customs of the places you plan to visit. Good resources are your library, your travel agent, and the embassies, consulates or tourist bureaus of the countries you will visit. In addition, keep track of what is being reported in the media about recent developments in those countries.

As much as possible, plan to stay in larger hotels that have more elaborate security. the safest floor to book a room may be from the second to seventh floors--above ground level to deter easy entrance from the outside, but low enough for fire equipment to reach.

Because take-off and landing are the most dangerous times of a flight, book non-stop flights when possible. When there is a choice of airport or airline, ask your travel agent about comparative safety records. There are differences.

Have you affairs at home in order. If you leave an up-to-date will, insurance documents, and a power of attorney with your family or a friend, you can feel secure about traveling and will be prepared for any emergency that may occur while you are away. If you have minor children, consider making guardianship arrangements for them.

Make a note of the credit limit on each credit card you bring. Make certain no to charge over that amount on your trip. In some countries, Americans have been arrested for innocently exceeding their credit limit. Ask your credit card company how to report the loss of your card from abroad. 800 numbers do not work from abroad, but your company will have a number that you can call.

Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. Even more important, check if your health insurance will cover you abroad. Social Security Medicare does not provide payment for medical care outside the U.S. Even if your health insurance will reimburse you for medical care that you pay for abroad, normal health insurance does not pay for medical evacuation from a remote area or from a country where medical facilities are inadequate. Consider purchasing one of the short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers that includes medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness.

For a health care policy to give you assurance and peace of mind you may wish to examine the offerings of World Travel Center.