January 23rd, 2008
Safety Tips for Travelling
Safety Tips for Travelling
By Viola Woolcott
If you are travelling abroad, make sure you have all of the necessary papers and documents you need to get into and out of the country.
Checklist for Travellers
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
It is wise to check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) up-to-date travel and travellers advice on the net at www.fco.gov.uk/travel
It is advisable to get a good guidebook and to get to know your destination.
Get familiar with local laws and customs and follow their guidelines on arrival.
Always tell family and friends where you are going. Make sure to leave details of how you can contact each other, i.e. by e-mail in emergencies.
Leave photocopies of your passport, insurance policies, ticket details, your itinerary and maybe a 24-hour emergency number you can be reached on with your family and friends.
INSURANCE
VERY IMPORTANT!
Get comprehensive and adequate travel insurance. Make sure that all of the activities you plan are covered. Make sure that your policy covers:
Air Ambulance – in case you need to be flown home
ALL medical bills
ANY pre-existing conditions
Potentially hazardous activities
In the event of death bringing the body home
Make sure that your family is covered to be brought home in the event of your illness or injury
Replacing and/or bringing your car home if necessary
MAKE A PLAN TO STAY HEALTHY
Check to see what health precautions you need for the country you are entering
If you are on medication, check if it is legal in the country you are visiting – maybe you need a written medical letter from your GP.
Should you be travelling within the EEA – European Economic Area, you can obtain an EHIC from www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or go to the Post Office. REMEMBER, regardless, you still need travel insurance.
YOUR TICKETS
Buy a return ticket - BEFORE YOU GO
Once you get there – keep your tickets in a safe place
YOUR PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Even travelling overseas, including journeys through the Channel Tunnel, require a passport
Check that your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months at return date.
Make sure that your passport is in good condition; make a note of the number, date, place and issue.
Make a note of your next of kin in your passport.
Your Travel Agent will also be able to advise you if you need a Visa.
Children under the age of 16 (that includes Babies) that are not already included on a valid passport, or travelling to the USA need to have their own individual passport. Should they be already included on their parents’ passport, they can continue to travel on these until they reach the age of 16, or the passport on which they travel expires.
It is advisable to take another means of identification preferably with a photograph.
ONCE YOU ARE THERE
The passport should be kept in the hotel safe and a photocopy should be carried with you.
DRUGS
Don’t get involved with any kind of drugs – in some countries the penalties are severe and could even include the death sentence.
Don’t carry i.e. parcels or luggage through customs for other people.
Don’t cross any borders with someone you don’t know, i.e. hitchhikers.
THE MONEY AND CURRENCY
Check and make sure that you have enough money to cover emergencies.
Choose to take traveller’s cheques and keep note of their numbers.
Find out how your traveller cheques and credit cards can be replaced if lost or stolen.
Also check the expiry dates on debit or credit cards and make sure you take note of their numbers.
ONCE YOU GET THERE
Only carry as much money as you feel you need for the day and leave the rest in the hotel safe.
If you need to carry a lot of money, ask your partner or friend to carry some of it.
Use a secure inside pocket or even better a money belt.
Leave at least one credit card in the hotel safe
If anything like money, passport or anything else is stolen abroad, you must report it at once to the local police so you can obtain a statement about your loss, as you will have to claim it against your insurance. You will also need to take steps to cancel any traveller cheques or cards.
CONSULAR ASSISTANCE
Write down the number of your nearest Consulate. The Consular officers are there to help you help yourself. Usually Tour Operators, Hotels as well as the Police have this information. Remember that the working hours vary, so it is better to telephone them first. Most Consulates operate an answer phone system for out of hours service and they also give information on working hours as well as emergency numbers for other times. You can find details and what support is available on www.fco.gov.uk/travel
Safety should always be your number one concern when you travel, whether abroad or in your home country or state.
