Traveling Safety Tips And Tricks

1. Do not check valuable items, especially if you are going overseas. Corrupt airport security personnel can and will steal from you. If you cannot carry a valuable item on board, mail it to yourself in advance.

2. Email a scanned copy of your passport to yourself and a relative. Make a tiny index-card-sized list of the customer support numbers to your credit card companies. Do not keep a copy of your credit cards, anyone who finds this list can still use the information for fraud. Instead, if you lose your card, call the customer support line and they should be able to pull up your account info using your Social Security Number to freeze the account and mark it for fraud. Some will also overnight airmail you an emergency replacement card to whatever address you are at worldwide (I know Citibank does this).

3. "Bring with you a small flashlight. At the night time, keep your flashlight near your bed." - I agree with this tip. Also keep a mini-LED flashlight on your keychain. Both have come in handy at different times.

4. "If it’s possible for you travel with only one or two credit cards." - Good advice. I agree.

5. "Change your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday." - Sometimes this isn't a choice, especially if you work at a fixed schedule or have a set itinerary. As an alternative, you could just alternate your route to your pad, keep the area well-lit, and try not to travel alone.

6. "Try to avoid unmarked taxi cabs." - Do not get cabs off the street, period. Call for your cab, and if it's not possible to call for one in advance, have the hotel arrange for your transportation.

7. "When traveling sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you." - This is a good tip when traveling in countries where there is a lot of crime. Also, tip the driver reasonably, or he will take you for a ride you will never forget. Insist that he go directly to your destination without any stops, and know your route in advance so that you don't get cheated in having him go the 'long way' there.

8. "You should park only in well lit and well traveled areas." - DUH!


9. "Bring with you along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, diarrhea medicine, etc." - Unless you're planning a trek through West Africa or the Amazon, get that later at the airport in travel size.


10. "Exchange your funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only." - First try the ATM. Then, if you cannot get decent currency at the ATM, you can eExchange your funds with a government-insured bank for a nominal fee. Never trade cash on the street. In some countries that is illegal and can put you in jail.

Other Related Tips

1. Keep your luggage with you until the luggage is checked. If it’s must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

2. Keep with you important papers; don’t check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your pp, credit cards etc.

3. Bring with you a small flashlight. At the night time, keep your flashlight near your bed.

4. If it’s possible for you travel with only one or two credit cards.

5. Change your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

6. Try to avoid unmarked taxi cabs.

7. When traveling sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

8. You should park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

9. Bring with you along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, diarrhea medicine, etc.

10. Exchange your funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.