Health & Safety Health concerns worldwide, scams, and other safety issues. Don't get ripped off! Also post your safety prevention tips! |
|
05-26-2005, 02:42 AM
|
#1
|
Members
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 42
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
. When taking taxis from an airport to your hotel, travel in the more expensive airport taxis and ensure that the drivers have official identification. Never take a taxi waiting outside the airport grounds..
2. When traveling from your hotel to the airport, go with a taxi recommended by the hotel.
3. Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night.
4. Travel in a group if possible.
5. Learn the basics in Spanish/Portoguese before you arrive . Don't expect that people will speak English.
6. Keep your valuables hidden.
7. Avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourist would be expected to go. Seek local advice or take a guide.
8. Read the guide books and talk with other tourists to find out which areas are best avoided.
9. When leaving discos late at night take a taxi home no matter how close your hostel is. Outside most discos you'll find a street vendor selling cigarettes. Usually these people know all the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.
10. When arriving in a new town, keep to your original plan and stay in the hostel that you have decided on. Don't let the taxi driver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that he knows a cheaper and better one. He'll be working on commission and the hostel probably won't be in a safe part of town.
11. Even better, when arriving lane/train in a new city, try to reserve your hotel in advance, preferably with a hotel that has an airport/station collection service.
12. Don't wear expensive looking jewelry.
13. On public transport have your day pack close to you at all times, preferably with the straps around your legs or padlocked to the luggage rack. On buses your backpack will normally go outside, either on top of the roof or in the external luggage compartments. On long distance buses ask for a receipt for your bags. On short rides just keep a careful eye out each time the bus stops to off-load bags. In the event of having your bags stolen, stay with the bus - you will probably require a declaration from the bus company accepting responsibility for the loss in order to claim any money from your insurance company.
14. Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making day trips or longer tours. Obtain a receipt not just for your money belt/wallet etc. but for its contents, with each item listed.
15. If you have to leave your passport and credits cards together place the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign your name across the flap. At least when you return you know for sure no-one else has been using it.
16. If planning on going to market areas, crowded streets, fiestas etc. don't go with all your valuables. Leave them in the hotel. If your planning on buying something expensive keep your money safely in a money belt. Try to be discreet when opening it! To protect small change in your pockets you can stuff a handkerchief in after.
17. If the pavements are really crowded, especially in market areas, walk in the road.
18. If you suspect someone is following you, stop and stare them in the eye until they go. If you really get a bad feeling about a place, go with your first instincts and leave. Bag slashing is rare nowadays but for added safety you can wear your day pack on your chest.
19. If it's on your back try to walk without stopping. If you need to stop, sway your pack gently from side to side so that you can feel if anyone is tampering with it.
20. When putting your bag down on the floor, to take a photo or just to sit in a café, remember to put your foot through the strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you also won't forget it! This is the most common type of theft - tourists forgetting bags in cafes and on returning to ask if anyone has seen it, you've guessed it, it's gone.
|
|
|
05-26-2005, 10:32 AM
|
#2
|
The " ... " queen of TP!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,946
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
very smart tips there solo! thanks! I especially like #'s 15 & 20. I am SO forgetful & the purse thing was something i worry about constantly.........
__________________
~Laura
GO CANADA!!!!
If you walk backwards, you'll find out that you can go forward and people won't know if you're coming or going.
Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.
-James Dean
Countries I've Visited: Austria, Botswana, Canada, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy. Malawi, Mexico, Portugal, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, UK, Vatican City, Zambia
|
|
|
05-26-2005, 01:03 PM
|
#3
|
TPunk Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,791
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Thats some awsome advice! I also really liked # 20
I've known people who weren't even out travelling that have had their bags lifted b/c they put their bad down next to them. Anytime I'm out with my backpack I put my leg thru one of the straps.
__________________
I've been a wild rover for many's the year,
And I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer.
But now I'm returning with gold in great store,
And I never will play the wild rover no more
|
|
|
05-26-2005, 01:04 PM
|
#4
|
Minister of Offense
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Fran Disco
Posts: 6,528
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Quote:
15. If you have to leave your passport and credits cards together place the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign your name across the flap. At least when you return you know for sure no-one else has been using it.
|
Brilliant!
|
|
|
05-26-2005, 06:32 PM
|
#5
|
TPunk Recognized
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 452
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Quote:
5. Learn the basics in Spanish/Portoguese before you arrive . Don't expect that people will speak English.
|
wow thats really gonna help in asia
how bout learn a bit of the local language.
:greenguy: :greenguy:
__________________
|
|
|
05-27-2005, 08:11 AM
|
#6
|
TPunk Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 676
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Not all taxi cab drivers speak spanish? Ha ha.
Great tips though! I really like #20 too as I am one the THE most forgetful people in the universe. I might just have to keep my backpack tied to me... LOL!
Jenn
__________________
My igloo is melting...
|
|
|
05-27-2005, 09:52 AM
|
#7
|
TPunk Emeritus
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Indefinite.
Posts: 2,857
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Great advice! Thanks for sharing.
__________________
~~ Jamie ~~
You give me the most gorgeous sleep That I've ever had And when it's really bad I guess it's not that bad
Have some general questions such as whether or not to get a rail pass or how much money you'll need? Visit here!
First time travelers/travelers with a lot of questions - this forum is for you![b]
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:22 PM.
|