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Travel Safely for Safety

© Sharon Tabor Warren

Your safety should be foremost in the planning of a trip and continued day by day as you travel. Tourist safety is an ever-increasing area of concern for law enforcement in all countries. The destination doesn’t have to appear on a restricted list to be dangerous.

Calls to both American and Canadian government agencies who assist their citizens abroad when they are victimized, netted no statistics. Both said that what numbers they have are unreliable and are most certainly understated. There are many reasons for the variables but the most common is that crimes are not reported. The State Department spokesman ventured a guess that as many as half the crimes against American citizens traveling abroad never make it to the stat sheets.

Worldwide, crime is on the rise. There’s no absolute immunity, your own home is not a haven. Planning and thinking ahead, however, is easily accomplished.

Here are eight considerations to assist in traveling safe:

1) Do not travel to an area that has been placed on a restricted list. In the U.S., the State Department maintains a site with information on countries around the world. Canada also maintains a list of travel warnings. Those from the U.K. and Down Under readers can also check online. Other countries also maintain lists.

2) Learn before you go about the customs of the country and its culture. For instance, women traveling in a Muslim country must behave much differently than women traveling in Western Europe. It is very much a case of “when in Rome…” whether you’re in Italy or not. Some cultures are offended by body contact--a gesture as seemingly insignificant to us as patting a child on the head might create hostility. Adhere to the country’s dress code--shorts, tank tops, sleeveless garments, plunging necklines may be totally inappropriate. Good sources for detailed information are the Lonely Planet guides.

3) Don’t flaunt your nationality, political or religious preferences. You may be rightfully proud of your heritage, but the inhabitants of the country you’re visiting may not share your sentiment. You can’t hide your roots--they will be divulged in your speech, dress and mannerisms--but don’t flaunt them. Avoid displays of the Stars and Stripes, the Maple Leaf or other emblems. Political preference isn’t limited to party affiliation--it includes well-known activist groups such as Greenpeace or even the Sierra Club. Leave your membership pins, patches and decals at home. Do not wear religious jewelry, such as crosses, Stars of David, etc. If you don’t like to remove the emblems, wear them under clothing. In some countries, religious materials (jewelry, books, etc.) can be confiscated.

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