Surefire Safety Part 6: Street Smarts

There is nothing wrong with being a tourist or a travler, but you don't always want to apear as one. Keep in mind some of these tips while you are on the street in an unfamiliar city.

• Study a map before going out. Then once you are on the street use a pocket-wsize guidebook.
• Dress down.
• Don't wear a lot of jewelery, it can be easily stolen. Do wear a wedding ring though.
• Loop a money belt around your belt loops so that if someone cuts it, it won't fall from your waist.
• Be wary when getting off a bus or train, or riding stairs and escalators; that's when pickpockets tend to strike.
• Carry just one credit card and photocopies of important documetns.
• Don't expose your large wad of bills.
• Become familiar with foreign currency.
• If a car starts to follow you, immediately turn and walk the opposite way.
• If you need to ask for directions, ask families or women with children.
• On sidewalks, keep your handbag and other valables away from the street side
• If attacked, run, fight, and yell as loud as possible.
• When in a restaurant, slip your foot through the strap on your bag so no one can run off with it.

I hope you took something away from these surefire safety tips. If there is something I forgot or something you think should be added to the list, feel free to let me know. Traveling is a fun adventure. It allows you to explore the world and make memories that will last a lifetime. However, there are people out there who want to take advantage of travelers, stealing their money, belongings, or hurting them. Watch out for yourself while out of town and continue adventuring through travel.

Surefire Safety Part 5 - Tips for Trips

Something bad will NEVER happen to you I know, however, keep these tips in mind just in case....or in case you're involved in some sort of safety trivia competition.

• NEVER get into an attackers car, even if he pulls a gun - Most attackers don't want to shoot you....they want to drive you to some deserted place and do something undescribable to you.


• Don't pull over when someone driving next to you is pointing at your car pretending something is wrong - Head to a gas station with other people near-by.
• Lock your doors while driving - Attackers have been known to walk up to cars and get in while it is sitting at a stop light.
• Identify who is at your front door before you open it.
• Pay attention in parking lots!
• Look in your back seat before entering your car.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Don't assume a sex offender looks a certain way. Only a small percentage look scary, the rest just look like the rest of us.
• Lock your car and keep the keys with you when purchasing gas.
• Unload your car at the front door of the hotel.
• Have your keys in your hand when you walk to your car.
• Never stop at a rest stop or truck stop alone.
• Don't take the stairs alone unless it is an emergency.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Be discreet when ordering in hotel restaurants or poolside. - you don't want anyone to hear your room number.
• Never leave your patio door open or nlocked.
• Drive directly to a well lit parking lot and call 911 if you think you are being followed.
• Always stay below the 7th floor in a hotel - Most fire department ladders can only reach that high.
• Take the hotels information with you - if you get lost it will be handy to have their number and address with you.
• Always have a charged cell phone

TRUST YOUR INTUITION

Surefire Safety Part 4 - Hotel Safety Tips

For those of you have been anxiously waiting - here it is! Part three of Surefire Safety: Hotel Safety.

You check into your hotel room in a strange city and head to your seemingly safe room. But how safe is it really? Does the housecleaning staff look suspicious? Did someone in the lobby overhear your room number? A million questions can be asked but in order to answer all of them simple safety measures can be taken....

• Don't use the door hanger to order breakfast. - This provides passersby the opportunity to determine if there is only one person in the room
• Look for the exits when you enter a crowded place.
• Ask for another room if the hotel representative tells you aloud what your room number is.
• Ask for two keys, even if you are travelling alone. - This indicates you are not alone and helps in case you lose your key.
• Always request a room with NO adjoining door to another room.
• Make sure you lock the door to the adjoining room if you must stay in one.
• Ask the hotel to call a cab for you.
• Don't stay in a hotel with doors to the outside.
• Carry a can of mace.
• Stay at hotels instead of motels.
• Request a room on the second or higher floor.
• Don't be paranoid- be alert.
• Just because your hotel is in a "safe" area stay alert.
• Refrain from going to the bar alone or drinking alone.

Here are some easy to follow room guidelines:

• Request a room near the elevator and away from renovation work.
• Door should have double locks and a peephole
• Bring along a rubber door stop to slide under the door so no one can get in.
• If your bag is stolen from the hotel, have the hotel management look for it.
• Hang the 'do not disturb' sign on your door.

Guidelines when choosing a hotel:

• Smaller is smarter
• Choose a well-trafficked street or a residential area
• Ask a female employee (other than one in reservations) if she walks around at night
• Reception desk should be near the hotel entrance
• Should be privacy for guests checking in
• Room numbers should be written on the key envelope, never said outloud
• Parking lot should be well lit and secure.
• Valet parking is even better