Adventure Travel Safety

Traveling Safely involves doing some preliminary work and research. Instead of attempting to write an entire article on the subject, I will link to some great sources of information.

If you are traveling overseas, the U.S. Department Of State has a background notes on numerous countries. These U.S. Department of State Publications include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty.

The State Department's Bureau Of Consular Affairs has safety tips and up-to-date information for every country in the world.

Weatherbase.com has Climate And Weather Forecasts For Several Different Regions. Click on one of the following geographical regions, and select the appropriate country, and then the closest to your destination.

Travel Safety Tips

• Keep the number of people who you tell you will be gone at a minimum.
• The best situation is to have someone--a neighbor, friend or relative--to pick up mail and newspapers and move cars in the driveway. If that isn't possible, remember to stop mail and newspaper deliveries.
• Use timers in the house, either random timers or set them to try to match your normal routine.
• Get traveler's checks so that you won't need to take an excess amount of cash.
• If you are traveling overseas, make a photocopy of your passport and pack it in a different place than the original. If the passport is lost or stolen, the photocopy may facilitate replacement.
• Before leaving, double check all doors and windows.

• If traveling overseas, be sure to check the U.S. State Department's traveler's warnings.
• Don't look like the classic tourist--you may not be able to meld yourself totally into the local culture, but you can prevent yourself being recognized as a tourist from 3 blocks away.
• Don't carry large amounts of cash. Take with you only the credit card(s) you may be using.
• Leave "invitations"--flashy jewelry, watches and expensive sunglasses--in our hotel or on your cruise ship.
• Don't intentionally--or unintentionally--flash large sums of cash. Have 2 separate areas in pockets or purses--1 pocket, for example, with a minimum amount of cash (this is where you go when you buy something) and the balance in the the other location.
• If unsure of an area, stay on the "beaten track." Taking a wrong turn can expose you to potential dangers      
  

• Upon arrival, check all locks (including safety latch). If not working, notify management immediately.
• In a hotel, If you are on a lower floor, make sure that all windows are securely locked.
• Familiarize yourself with fire escape routes.
• Take advantage of in-room or hotel desk safes.
• Consider leaving the radio or television playing when you leave the room.