10 Business Travel Safety Tips

Every year, hundreds of thousands of business travelers go to all points of the globe. A business traveler’s personal safety is always potentially at risk – even if their destination is just a short distance away.

Below are some basic safety tips that when followed, can help make you less vulnerable when on the road.

1. Don’t Go Solo – If possible don’t travel alone. If you do have to travel alone, set up scheduled times to check in with someone at home. If you don’t check in, they will immediately know that something is wrong.

2. Be Aware – Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself safe. If something seems unusual or out of place – it probably is. Trust your instincts.

3. Don’t Stand Out – Avoid behavior or dress that will make you stand out from the crowds – especially when traveling overseas.

4. Know the Area – It is important to be up to date on the area that you are traveling to. This includes any travel warnings and any regional/local issues, especially political. You should also be familiar with where you will be staying and the places you will need to visit while you are there.

Visit the State Department’s website (travel.state.gov) for information about the country you will be visiting. They will also post any travel warnings or alerts. For additional information, call the U.S. Department of Transportation Travel Advisory and Airport Safety Hotline (800-221-0673).

5. Have a Code Word – The number one way that people are kidnapped in foreign countries is by reading your name off of a sign that a driver is holding at the airport, duplicating the sign and standing in front of the real driver. To avoid this, have a code word that you can ask from the driver.

6. Your Hotel – Avoid hotels with rooms that open to the outside and rooms on the first floor. Be sure to use the extra lock on your door and to secure all valuables. Know where the emergency exits and stairwells are. In the event of an emergency, you want to know exactly where to go.

7. Meet in Public Areas – Never use your hotel room for meetings. Treat it as you would your bedroom at home – as a personal space for sleeping.

8. Know What You Have – Make photocopies of your driver license, credit cards (front and back) and passport. In case they are lost or stolen, you will know exactly what you had and for your credit cards, you can easily call the customer service numbers to cancel them. Keep the photocopies in a safe place or scan them and e-mail them to yourself. If you use a web-based e-mail service, you will be able to get to the documents anywhere you have internet access.

9. For Female Travelers – Female business travelers are at a greater risk when traveling, especially overseas. Wear a wedding ring – even if you are single. A cheap, fake ring can go a long way in deterring criminals. Also, wearing your hair down or in a pony tail should be avoided; this makes an easy way for someone to grab you.

10. Have a Plan – In case something does happen it is important to have a plan and a good support system. Discuss with your family/friends what to do in case of an emergency. The U.S. Department of State has a Citizen’s Emergency center that you can contact for assistance in case of an emergency situation abroad – 202-647-0900.

Tips for General Travel Safety

Traveling can provide some of the greatest experiences of your
life; however it can also be pretty scary if general travel
safety is not followed. Before traveling everyone involved in
the trip should review safety suggestions and mentally prepare
themselves for different situations as well as prepare for
emergencies that might crop up. The following tips will help you
prepare yourself before you begin traveling and save time in
case an emergency occurs.

Safety Tip #1 Photos Always pack recent photos of everyone on
the trip in case of kidnapping or disappearance. This way you
can easily provide local authorities with an immediate photo
rather than waiting for some to arrive from home, which could
waste precious time.

Safety Tip #2 Clothing Always make a mental note what everyone
on the trip is wearing each day. This is needed information in
the event of a disappearance or kidnapping. Also, bright clothes
should be avoided as well as expensive jewelry because these
simply draw attention to you and increase your risk for attack,
kidnapping, or theft. Blending in with the crowd is more
desirable when traveling than sticking out.

Safety Tip #3 Allergies Remember to make note of any allergies
individuals on the vacation might have. When traveling people
easily encounter many foods they are not accustomed to and might
easily have an allergic reaction. Different supplies should also
be on hand like Benadryl or Epipens if necessary. Also,
insurance cards should be carried on vacation and kept in a
secure place in case medical attention is needed.

Safety Tip #5 Travel Itinerary Regardless of whether you are
traveling by plane, train or automobile you should provide a
relative or friend with a travel itinerary including hotels and
general plans for each day. This may seem like a hassle, however
if you are lost or missing it is important for family members to
have an idea of where to start looking for you.

Safety Tip #6 Credit Cards Make sure you have all the
information in your wallet noted on another sheet of paper,
perhaps saved as an email in your inbox that is easily
accessible. This should include names of all credit and bank
cards with their phone numbers as well as any other cards or
personal information you might need to cancel in the event your
wallet is lost or stolen.

Remember, there are plenty of other safety guidelines like
buckling up, washing your hands, and looking both ways before
crossing the street that should always be followed when
traveling as well as the above mentioned safety tips. The best
way to make your vacation successful is to be as prepared as
possible in case something goes wrong. Safety should always be
the number one priority when traveling

Preparing For Your Trip to Oaxaca, Mexico

When it comes to traveling abroad, knowing the rules and regulations you will face from your own country as well as the destination country are important. Preparing for a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico can be a great opportunity to insure your travels will go off without a hitch, but there are some regulations and policies you should be well aware of before leaving the United States.
Starting January 23, 2007, the U.S Department of State required all air travelers to have a valid passport when leaving or entering the country. Applying for a U.S passport can take between 6- and 8-weeks depending on whether you choose to expedite the services or choose to wait. You will need to prepare well in advance to insure you make your flight safely and securely.
Be aware that while visiting Oaxaca, Mexico you are subject to Mexico’s laws. Minor violations within the United States may not be so minor in Mexico. Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for breaking the law. Brush up on Mexico’s laws at a local library if necessary. You should also always carry the phone number or contact information for the U.S. Embassy as well as the U.S Consular Agency in the area you will be traveling in. Should you get in legal troubles, this should always be your first phone call.
Alcohol consumption should be handles with the utmost care. Unruly behavior can cause you to get in a lot of trouble with the local authorities. In addition, alcohol consumption is the leading cause of injury to tourists. Of course, use or possession of any type of drug is severely frowned on and dealt with harshly.
When it comes to knives and firearms, leave them at home. Even a pocketknife could cause troubles for you legally. The best rule of thumb is to simply not attempt to take any knife regardless of size over the border.
Of course, everyone loves to go water skiing or riding on a moped through the city. With so much to see, having something to get you from point A to point B is great. However, take caution when renting any type of vehicle. You will want to check for the insurance certificate as well as to insure the vehicle has been serviced properly.
Oaxaca, Mexico is a gorgeous location with over 155 miles of beaches. However, not all of those waters are safe to play in or swim. There have been many fatalities because the apparently calm water was rougher than expected. Even the most accomplished of swimmers can be overwhelmed. Check for a lifeguard, and try to always let someone know where you are.
Safety is the key to enjoying your stay in the beautiful state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Commonsense can go a long way, but you will need to educate yourself on the regulations and policies of the country as well as the state. Getting the most from your vacation or trip means knowing what you are getting into from the beginning. Yes, you can enjoy the pristine waters, but remember to use your head and leave the alcohol at home.

How to stay healthy on your travels

Keeping an eye on your health and looking after yourself is important when you’re travelling. You don’t want to miss a thing and that means staying on top form; to give you a helping hand here is a little guide to help you stay fit and healthy throughout your travels…

Getting ill anywhere is never fun but getting ill abroad can be scary. Preparation is essential; the first thing you need to do is get your jabs. Everywhere is different so which ones you’ll need depends on where you’re travelling. The best thing to do is speak to your doctor about safety precautions and find out what they recommend.

Possible jabs include:

If you have any medical conditions, it’s better to be cautious. So when you visit your doctor to talk about immunisations, it’s a good idea to ask what else you need to do to prepare. In most cases, with regular medication, you’ll just need a prescription to see you through your travels. In others, you might have to make arrangements to see a doctor while you’re away; the most important thing is to make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay healthy.

Other medical supplies that you might want to take with you include:

Travelling inevitably has an impact on your health. In some cases it’s what’s involved in the travel itself, while in others may be what you do while you’re away. Preparing for any problems you might have while you’re away and doing your research could save you whole lot of hassle.

If you’re travelling for long distances and to different time zones, it can take your body a while to catch up. You might find yourself wide-awake in the middle of the night or sleeping in the middle of the day. To minimise the effects, start adjusting your sleep cycle a couple of days in advance. And once you’ve arrived, make sure you drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated drinks.

If you suffer from travel sickness, the first thing to do is make sure you’ve got any medication that you take for this. A few tried and tested methods to minimise sickness include; eating a light meal before you travel, looking out of the window instead of at stationary objects and sipping a drink while you travel.

Flying can play havoc with your ears, but if you keep swallowing as the plane takes off and lands, you should be able to minimise discomfort. Ear plugs, and travel sweets can also be helpful. Yawning is good too, but not so easy to do on demand.

Water is generally a big factor here. Try to avoid stomach problems by drinking bottled water, boiling water or purifying it with iodine tablets. If you do come down with something, you’ll need plenty of fluids. Anti diarrhoea and re-hydration tablets should be taken as required, until you get better. Make sure you follow the directions on the label. And if it lasts for more than 3 days, consult a doctor.

Your health is just as important when you travel as it is when you’re at home, so make sure you’re prepared. For more information on what to do if your get ill while abroad, visit the travel health section of the NHS website.

Bus Safety Tips for Kids

Heading back to school each year means your children should
review bus safety tips so they are always prepared for any
situation. While traveling by school bus is safe for America’s
youth many students are killed each year in school bus
accidents. Amazingly, however, these deaths do not usually occur
inside the school bus but rather as the children are entering or
exiting the bus. This is cause for concern and necessitates the
review of some simple bus safety tips.

Bus Safety Tip #1 Wait for the Bus to Stop Your children should
understand how important it is to always wait for the bus to
stop completely and the driver to signal the children to board
the bus rather than running towards a moving bus. This can
result in an accident, injury or even death, so make sure your
kids know to stay put until the bus is fully stopped.

Bus Safety Tip #2 Wait in a Safe Place If you don’t escort your
children to the bus stop then they should know to wait at the
bus stop and away from all traffic. They should not be playing
at the bus stop or doing anything that might distract them from
waiting for the bus.

Bus Safety Tip #3 Use the Handrails Backpacks are heavy and
children are small, so when they place their foot on the first
step of the bus without using the handrails it is very easy to
lose their balance and fall backward. Because of this it is very
important that your children know they should always use the
hand rail when entering and exiting the school bus.

Bus Safety Tip #4 No Horseplay When you have a group of kids on
the school bus nothing is more tempting than to play with other
occupants. However, teach your child that playing on the bus can
lead to injury and even a car accident because the bus driver
can’t pay attention to the road because of the distraction on
the bus. This should help them understand how important it is to
remain seated and quiet at all times.

Children should ride on the school bus quietly and calmly and
checking homework or reading a book quietly are great school bus
activities that will keep your child safe while on the bus.
Following these other tips will also insure your child or
children practice safety at all times when waiting for, entering
or exiting the school bus

Why is it Vitally Important to Buy a Travel & Medical Insurance when Booking a Trip

The high travel season is at the corner now. People from all walks of life around the world are currently busy searching for the best offers of air and land travel, accommodations, vacation packages to suit their dreams, needs and budgets. Some of them have even started to make their reservations.

Here I would like to emphasize one vitally important thing, which is a must to remember when booking a trip, but ignored by a great number of travelers.

Much has been written on the importance of having insurance coverage while you are on a trip, away from home. This is an issue that remains somewhat ignored by many travelers. After all, they have been traveling frequently for many years, and nothing happened so far to worry about. So, to buy a travel insurance should not a be a must. It is only an optional precaution!

But, reality urges us to believe traveling anywhere in the world without protection today, is a vital mistake. Regardless of where you are traveling in the world, you must have an insurance coverage to survive any unexpected attacks and disasters, especially after the 9/11 attacks in the U.S.A.

Let’s say, you have been planning the trip of your dreams for a long time; you have finally found the opportunity to make your long time dreams of a special trip come true.

You are so excited! You have thought of all the details. You have been actively preparing for this travel; thinking, programming, shopping . . . spending a lot of time, money, and energy! You are proud of yourself that you have finally managed to materialize your dream!

Your trip can really be an unforgettable experience from start to the end, on one condition.

When booking your trip, you should have remembered that, like most exciting events in our lives, travel has some important risks, too. For example, potential medical and/or financial risks associated with travel, can suddenly turn all the excitement and pleasures of the trip to a nightmare.

Your baggage and/or your hand bag with your money, passport, credit cards in, can be stolen leaving you desperate & frustrated in a foreign country.

No one can guarantee that a natural disaster would not happen at the place you would be staying during your trip.

An unexpected accident, injury or illness would suddenly ruin everything. In fact, in the recent years medical costs have increased dramatically, worldwide. How would you be able to pay the emergency medical expenses, expensive hospital bills if you needed an urgent treatment, or surgery and care during your travel when you have lost your money, credit cards, and passport? Isn’t it a real nightmare?

In such a frustration, the only thing you would have needed to survive was a reliable medical and travel insurance policy, wasn’t it?.

Especially in the light of the horrible threats on and after September 11 terrorist attacks, the war on terror, other ruthless terror attacks in Istanbul, Spain, Egypt and London, frequent flight disruptions and cancellations, airlines’ bankruptcies, and more. In addition, travel suppliers such as tour operators and airlines worldwide have made cancellation policies more restrictive.

Therefore, if you have to cancel a trip, it’s likely that a big portion of your pre-paid travel expenses will not be refunded by travel suppliers.

Recent SARS and bird flu threats have also been urging travelers and vacationers to seriously consider to buy a travel and medical insurance.

Travel Insurance types and prices defer from one travel insurance provider to another.

You have to review, compare and select the best offers to suit your personal needs.

For instance, some insurance providers do not offer coverage outside the U.S.A. Some companies do not provide emergency medical coverage and care, while others do.

Some airlines do not accept to be held responsible for the acts of God, weather problems, natural disasters, riots and unrests, SARS, bird flu, and similar outbreaks.

The Insurance types you will need on a trip are reviewed below:

Last Minute Cancellation Insurance
With the last minute cancellation and/or interruption insurance you will get coverage on non-refundable deposits you had made when you bought your travel insurance. Read the fine print on the policy carefully when buying this insurance. You should discuss your personal needs with your insurance agent before buying it.

Medical Insurance
This is one of the most important insurance policies you should have. Buying health and medical insurance must be considered as an important part of your travel budget. You can face a health problem or an accident anywhere and anytime during your trip. Be sure your medical and health insurance policy covers illness, accidents, surgeries, hospitalization bills in the countries you will be visiting, emergency medical transportation to your home country. Please remember to have your policies with you when traveling, leaving the copies of your insurance policies with a relative in your home country, in case the policies you have with you are lost.

Comprehensive Insurance Policy
This policy generally covers emergency medical transportation and trip cancellation and interruption, plus other needs you would expect. This insurance costs 5 to 7 percent of the total cost of the trip. You should have it for your safety.

What types of insurance policies do we need for a full protection?

The Essential Insurance Types offered by most providers are Travel, Last Minute, Medical, Health, Life, Hotel, Cruise, Air, Vacations, Luxury, car insurance, sports, and Spa Insurance policies.

Some travel insurance companies also offer affordable coverage for a wide range of winter sports including Ski, Off-Piste and Snowboarding.

We might need not one, but several types of insurance policies according to the general conditions at the destinations we’re going to.

If your your kids are going with you, many travel insurance providers let them go free with adults.

Some companies provide policies for students, backpackers, cheap travel, holiday insurance, long stay, international, family travel, single travel, annual travel, annual multi-trips, and more. It’s good to know that in this cyber age, you can buy the insurance policies you need online, without even leaving your home.
Most Travel Insurance policies cover Luggage Loss, too.

But you should definitely ask about what’s covered and what’s not when choosing Travel Insurance Policy to buy. Do ask questions, all questions you might have in mind, until you get all the information you need. It’s much better to ask questions when buying insurance than to be sorry later.

How can I find the best insurance type to suit my personal or family needs?

When choosing a travel insurance policy to buy, you should get information on the offers of various insurance providers to compare.

Knowing how time consuming is to search, compare and choose the best travel and medical insurance types and prices to suit your needs and budget, we advice to visit the websites where you can find lists and information about various offers, then compare them, and choose the best ones to suit your needs.

You should keep in mind that buying your travel insurance through travel insurance providers, instead of travel agencies, would save you money in most cases.

In the light of terrorist attacks, unexpected natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, deadly hurricanes, floods, epidemics, accidents, illness, SARS, bird flu, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives at many places around the world, especially in the recent years, every traveler must seriously consider to buy a travel health and a medical insurance, and some other insurance policies if needed, providing a reliable full coverage against both expected and unexpected threats.

Copyright © Aall-Dreamlands.com 2005

Traveling to India

Safety and Travel tips for a trip to INDIA

There are some important things to remember when you travel to India. If you follow my advice you will not get sick and you will be safe.

Always be sure to bring YOUR OWN bottled water. The water supply there can not be trusted to be germ free and sanitary. You can pack bottled water from home in your checked bag.

Always be sure to bring plenty of canned food. Restaurants do not always have the best sanitary conditions when preparing your food in India.

Be sure not to drink anything with ice for the same reason you bring bottled water (the ice came from their water…).

Be sure not to brush your teeth with the running water in your hotel room. It is best to use the bottled water to rinse your mouth out.

Be sure to always bring a bacteria killing sanitizer such as Purell. Rub it on your hands frequently throughout the day. Another good idea is to rub that sanitizer on the toilet before each use.

Hire a driver to take you to your destination. The taxis with three wheels are not safe so you should try to avoid them if at all possible.

Do not trust bottled water that you may purchase in India. It is not safe and may be no different than drinking their running water.

Do not leave food out in your room as the monkeys will take it away… I know that sounds funny but I’m not kidding.

You will be faced with panhandlers constantly so be prepared.

If you are traveling to Mumbai I suggest you stay at the Grand Hyatt.

On the positive side of traveling to India…

The people in India are very well educated.

Most of the people there speak English which makes things much easier in any country.

Most of the people are hard working and want to be successful.

I have a couple of folks in India that I call my friends.

On the way to India, which is a 20 hour trip, I suggest you stop in Frankfurt Germany.

If you travel to India in December there is a Christmas Festival in Frankfurt with outdoor shops, crafts for sale and some of the best beer and sausages you can imagine.

I suggest you stay at the Frankfurt Marriott if you decide to stop over in Germany.

Vacationing Safety Tips

Children are a precious gift, but sometimes, children can become separated from their prospective adult. While in a grocery store, this can cause a moment of panic, but if you are on vacation, this can cause a frantic moment of fear and dread. The child will have their own feelings of fear and terror. You can take steps to insure that insure the safety of your child or children should you become separated. Vacationing safety tips are a great way to brush up on what it is you can do and what steps to take to prevent the unexpected.
Traveling abroad can be a wonderful time for the whole family. Mexico is an increasingly popular destination these days, and as such, it is important you plan for the unexpected. Not only should you plan for the unexpected, but you should teach your children what to do “just in case”. Of course, you will not want to scare your children, but you will want to insure they stay safe and know what to do. This will help your child not feel completely helpless and terrified; you will find this speeds up the reunion process as well.
Here are just a few vacation safety tips to practice with your children to insure that next family vacation goes off without a hitch.
Do not wear highly visibly names on the outside of your clothes. Having matching t-shirts is great! Choose a same color shirt for the whole family, and teach the children to look for that color. However, having the shirts personalized with a name on the back or front is simply a bad idea. Your child is more likely to trust an adult who knows his or her name. It is easier to lure children when the stranger has a name to make the child feel comfortable.
Have identification on each member of the family – even the newborn. Identification can be in the form of an ID card, a bracelet, or even a dog tag. These need to be on the person of each person, and animal if necessary, on the vacation. Make a game of letting the child know that if they get lost, to find another mommy or daddy with children and show them this identification. It is a good idea if traveling abroad to have this identification in the locale language as well as the home language.
Always have a photo of each person on the vacation. If you should become separated, it is important to have a current photo of the missing person for authorities. These can be carried in the purse or kept in a safe box while enjoying the day.
Finally, while we do not want to teach our children to fear people, it is important to teach your children that if anyone tries to grab them, touch them in a way that feels bad, or tries to take them to drop to the ground and scream as loudly as possible, “He is not my mommy or daddy. HELP!” until help arrives. This small step could mean the difference in life and possible death.